The Defence Headquarters says troops killed 121 terrorists, apprehended 253 and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in one week.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba announced this while giving an update on military operations on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said the troops also recovered 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 ammunition comprising three M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 24 locally fabricated guns, and 36 Dane guns, including seven locally fabricated pistols, 1,716 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 494 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, and other items.

In the North-East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages during the week under review.

He added that troops also recovered three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, two hand grenades, and 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, amongst others.

In the North-Central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed 47 terrorists, apprehended 17 and rescued four kidnap victims as well as recovered a cache of arms.

In the North-West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 62 terrorists, arrested 12 others and rescued 162 kidnapped hostages.

He said the troops also recovered 46 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made Dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, 352 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, etc.

He added that the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorist commander Maudi Maudi’s and Mallam Aibo’s enclaves in Safana LGA of Katsina.

“Following confirmatory ISR, the rocky terrain at the locations used by terrorists as hideouts and forward base was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets.

“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures and logistic base destroyed. Additionally, following reports on the massing up of terrorists, the air component conducted another air interdiction on the location of interest in the Batsari local government area of Katsina state.

“The location was acquired and engaged with rockets while Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed,’’ he said.

Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 43 violent extremists and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition. 

He added that the air component in several passes conducted armed recce missions and air interdiction at terrorist locations in Yadi and Abu Bilal’s enclave in Giwa LGA of Kaduna.

According to him, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons, killing several terrorists and their logistics destroyed. 

In the Niger Delta, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 944,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 171,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.

He said the troops also discovered and destroyed 61 illegal refining sites with 102 dugout pits, 41 boats and 36 storage tanks, 49 cooking ovens, six pumping machines and eight vehicles.

According to him, troops apprehended 29 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists, as well as recovered 12 weapons and 113 assorted ammunitions.

In the South-East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended suspected violent extremists, kidnappers and gunrunners and raided IPOB/ESN camps in Anambra and Ebonyi.

He said the troops killed 11 terrorists and apprehended 14 violent extremists, as well as recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 254 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, two magazines and three vehicles, amongst others.

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

(NAN)