The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated at least 286 terrorists, apprehended 244 others, and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages in different theatres of operation across the country in the last week.

The director of defence media operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba made this known while giving an update on the armed forces operations on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops also apprehended 83 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil thieves of the estimated sum of N2.5 billion during the week under review.

He added that the troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition, comprising 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 Dane guns, and 10 IEDs, among others.

Others, according to him, are 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, and 32 motorcycles, amongst other items.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 70 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, arrested 31 others and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages in the North-East.

He added that troops also recovered 47 AK47 rifles,  1,163 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 604 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among other items.

The defence spokesman said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 19 insurgents, arrested 68 violent extremists and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages in the North-Central.

He said the land and air components of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West recorded massive successes against terrorists in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.

Mr Buba said the air component had, in multiple passes, conducted air interdictions in Maradun and Sabuwa local government areas of Zamfara and Katsina states, respectively, killing several terrorists and destroying their logistics.

He said similar missions were conducted between February 15 and 16 in the enclaves of terrorist kingpins known as Abdulkarim and Sani Black, with several terrorists neutralised and their structures destroyed.

“Overall, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 58 terrorists, arrested five terrorists and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 29 AK47 rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 524 rounds of 7.62mm special, 343 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 56 rounds of 9mm ammo, amongst other items,” he said.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch successfully ambushed terrorists in Chikun and Kachia local government areas of Kaduna State during the week.

He said the troops neutralised 93 insurgents, arrested 32 violent extremists/terrorists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages.

According to him, troops recovered 55 AK47 rifles, 14 locally fabricated guns, seven Dane guns, 1,123 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 411 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, amongst other items.

In the Niger Delta region, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks. He said other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens and 74 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 2.9 million litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK, and 6,790 litres of PMS.

“Troops discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks, 149 cooking ovens and 74 illegal refining sites, among others,” he added.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East neutralised 39 insurgents and arrested 10 violent extremists, and recovered 17 pump action guns, 236 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 371 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 180 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, and 206 cartridges, amongst other items.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

“On one hand, the above is indicative of the fact that  troops are recording successes week in and week out in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country,” he added. 

(NAN)