Mr Gusau said the DHQ and BMAT had initiated a five-day training programme in Abuja.
The DHQ said its operations resulted in the killing of 86 terrorists and the arrest of 101 suspects.
“We call on the public to continue to act responsibly and be forthcoming for the progress of our nation.”
“I think the purpose is to make the government look stupid.’’
Mr Buba said the bandits had wreaked havoc before troops arrived at the other villages.
Mr Buba said the troops also rescued 4,488 kidnapped hostages.Â
He added that the troops recovered 72 assorted weapons and 338 assorted ammunition as well as rescued 80 kidnapped hostages during the week.
In the South-East, the DHQ said soldiers arrested 78 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued five kidnap victims.
“The Nigerian military does its best at all times to distinguish between civilians and terrorists.’’
The report from Defence Headquarters clashed with a previous claim of an army general, who blamed the strikes that killed over 126 villagers on a precision error by combat drones.
![Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja [Photo Shettima]](https://gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Chief-of-Army-Staff-COAS-Lt-General-Taoreed-Lagbaja-Photo-Shettima.png)
