The Defence Headquarters said troops eliminated 125 terrorists, apprehended 200 others and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages in different operations nationwide in the last one week.

The DHQ spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba made this known on Friday in Abuja while giving an update on the military’s operations across the country.

Mr Buba said the troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition, comprising 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 22 Dane guns, one SMG rifle and seven pump action guns.

He said others are one fabricated Beretta pistol, 5x60mm mortar bomb and unexploded ordinances, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62x54mm, 78 live cartridges, and 24 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo.

Mr Buba added that 21 AK47 magazines, one baofeng radio, six vehicles, 11 motorcycles, five bicycles, 38 mobile phones, and N2.7 million, amongst other items, were also recovered.

In the North-East, Mr Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages within the week.

He said the troops recovered 23 AK47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles, five Dane guns, one SMG gun, 16 magazines, 408 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 5x60mm mortar bombs amongst others.

In the North-Central, Mr Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 22 insurgents, arrested 38 violent extremists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.

In the North-West, he said the troops of Hadarin Daji neutralised 31 terrorists, arrested 21 terrorists and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages, as well as recovered a cache of arms.

According to him, the air component conducted an air interdiction on July 12, following intelligence and confirmatory ISR on the converging of suspected terrorists around Bukuru in the Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.

“The troops of Operation Whirl Punch conducted offensive operations to Kwali Area Council of FCT Abuja, as well as Lokoja and Adavi LGA of Kogi State during the week.

“On July 8 and July 12, the air component of Operation conducted air interdiction on terrorists’ kingpins enclaves. The airstrikes were on enclaves belonging to terrorist commander Alhaji Layi in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.

“Battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed,” he stated.

Mr Buba also said the air interdiction conducted at terrorist camps in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State killed several terrorists and destroyed their structures, as well as logistics.

He said the troops neutralised 18 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects and rescued 53 kidnapped hostages during the week. 

(NAN)