Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria said they killed at least 94 terrorists and apprehended 214 suspects, including kidnappers and oil thieves, in various operations in the last week.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba said this while briefing journalists on the armed forces operations on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops also rescued 29 hostages and recovered 168 assorted weapons and 2,757 assorted ammunition within the week. 

In the North-East, he said a total of 168 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families, comprising 11 adult males, 65 adult females and 92 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre operations between January 17 and 24.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 27 terrorists and arrested four, as well as recovered 22 AK47 rifles and one VEKTOR R4 rifle, among several other items.

He said the air component conducted air interdiction on the terrorists’ hideouts and movements of gun trucks to carry out coordinated attacks on troops and civilians in Gwoza LGA of Borno.

According to him, the locations were acquired, attacked and bombarded with rockets and cannons, killing several terrorists and destroying their mobility and structures.

In the North-Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested suspected violent extremists and foiled Fulani militia’s attack on locals in Mangu, Bokkos and Wase LGAs of Plateau during the week.

He said they killed 11 insurgents, arrested 32 violent extremists and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered arms and ammunition.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke killed 13 insurgents and arrested 30 violent extremists and insurgents, as well as recovered weapons, amongst others.

In the North-West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 27 insurgents, arrested six and rescued 13 hostages during the period. He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch killed 12 insurgents, arrested 27 violent and rescued 12 hostages.

According to him, the air component conducted air interdictions on a notorious terrorist hideout in Kaduna, killing several terrorists and kidnappers and their kingpin known as Janari.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refining sites with 16 dugout pits, 51 boats, 49 storage tanks, 38 cooking ovens, and three pumping machines.

He added that the troops recovered 363,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 198,315 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,200 litres of petrol during the period. 

(NAN)