The Defence Headquarters says troops have killed no fewer than 640 terrorists, apprehended 1,051 suspects and rescued 563 kidnapped hostages in May.

DHQ spokesman Edward Buba disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the Nigerian military’s operations on Thursday in Abuja.

He said some senior terrorist commanders and fighters had degraded the potency of the terrorists as a result of intense pressure from the troops across theatres of operations.

Mr Buba said the troops apprehended some suspects, including their logistic suppliers and informants. He added that the troops also recovered 707 assorted weapons, 16,487 assorted ammunitions comprising 411 AK-47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns and 43 pump action guns, amongst others.

In the North-East, Mr Buba said Operation Hadin Kai had recorded huge operational successes by neutralising some key terrorists, which included one Malam Mohammed, a leader of an IED cell in Sambisa forest.

He, however, revealed that the troops had rescued 386 hostages, who had been in captivity for over 10 years, adding the victims had been handed over to the Borno government.

“During the month, troops neutralised 306 terrorists, arrested 199 suspects and rescued an additional 219 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recorded 1,099 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families as they recovered 200 AK47 rifles and 53 fabricated rifles, among others,” he said.

In the North-Central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven conducted several offensive operations leading to the killing of 39 terrorists and violent extremists, while 140 suspects were apprehended with 77 kidnapped hostages rescued.

“The troops also recovered nine AK47 rifles, among others,’’ he said.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke have conducted several operations against terrorists and violent extremist strongholds and arrested violent extremists, their collaborators and several gunrunners.

Mr Buba also said the troops had neutralised 41 terrorists, arrested 184 suspects and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered 18 AK47 rifles and 27 assorted arms, with 2,237 rounds of 7.62mm special.

In the North-West, Buba disclosed that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, the troops operations had instigated rival clashes among the terrorist groups, which led to the elimination of a notorious terrorist commander, Usman Modi Modi.

“The troops killed the terrorist commander who hitherto terrorised communities around Danmusa, Kankara and Safana LGAs of Katsina state. Overall, the troops neutralised 262 terrorists, arrested 204 suspects and rescued 243 kidnapped hostages,” Mr Buba said.

He further explained that the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI had recorded significant air strikes to acquire terrorist camps in Faskari, Bayan Ruwa Maradun and Anka LGA in Zamfara.

“Some of the terrorist leaders targeted Jammo Smally and Kachalla Halilu; additionally, terrorist enclaves at Tungar Daji in Zamfara state and Rugu forest in Safana (LGA) were also engaged,” he said.

(NAN)