The Defence Headquarters said troops have eliminated over 187 terrorists, apprehended 262 suspects and rescued 147 kidnapped hostages in different operations across the country in the last one week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the disclosure while giving updates on the operations of the armed forces in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Buba said troops also recovered 205 assorted weapons and 5,241 assorted ammunition, comprising two G3 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 89 AK47 rifles, 22 fabricated rifles, 22 dane guns, two FN rifles, and two pistols.

Others, according to him, are two fabricated revolver pistols, 27 locally made pistols, 19 pump action guns, two pump action shotguns, one DICON pistol, eight double barrel guns, one beretta pistol and 32 magazines.

He said, “Others are 1,862 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 131 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 959 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm and 352 rounds of 9mm ammo. Recovered items also include 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 662 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, six vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 55 mobile phones amongst other items.’’

In the North-East, Mr Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 103 terrorists, apprehended 64 suspects and rescued 15 kidnap victims and recovered a cache of arms.

He said that a total of 19 terrorists comprising three adult males, six adult females and 10 children surrendered to troops between October 23 and October 29 within the theatre of operations.

In the North-Central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 18 violent extremists, arrested 52 persons and rescued 40 kidnapped hostages and recovered a cache of arms.

In the North-West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 51 terrorists, apprehended 55 suspects and rescued 81 kidnapped hostages and recovered a large cache of arms.

He said the air component on October 20 conducted air interdiction on terrorist leader Alhaji Layi’s enclave in the Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing several terrorists and destroying their structures.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Punch apprehended 32 suspects and rescued three kidnap victims and recovered a cache of arms.

(NAN)