Calamity was averted in North East by vigilant troops of Operations Hadin Kai who successfully botched attempts by Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists to ferry lethal weapons and logistics from Cameroon into the Nigerian territory, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Thursday in Abuja.It also stated that the dare-devils lost five men in the ensuing exchange of fire which left ten captured, 39 collaborators and logistics suppliers apprehended and 35 kidnapped civilians rescued.Deputy Director, Defence Media Operation, Brigadier General Abdullahi Haruna Ibrahim disclosed this during the regular bi-weekly operational briefing of the various activities of the military and other security agencies across the six geo-political zones of the country. Brigadier General Ibrahim, who represented the newly appointed Director, Defence Media Operation, Major General ES Buba, said that no fewer than 967 terrorists comprising 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint area of operations in the past two weeks.He said that the troops also killed 24 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, captured 10, apprehended 39 collaborators and logistics suppliers and rescued 35 kidnapped civilians.Also some cache of arms and other logistics including bags of flour and detergent were recovered.“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East zone of the country have continued to intensify operations against terrorists, including their logistics suppliers and collaborators. ‘’In pursuit of this, troops on 22 June 2023, following intelligence report on terrorists crossing from Cameroon to Nigeria, laid ambush along Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and recovered 1 bag each of flour and detergent. ‘’Furthermore, between 15 and 20 June 2023, troops arrested 10 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists collaborators and suppliers at different locations within the general area of operations and recovered some logistic supplies meant for the terrorists include mosquito nets, mosquito coils, 2 bags of sugar and the sum of Two Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Two Hundred and Thirty Five Naira (N246, 235.00) only.“More so, on 18 June 2023, troops arrested 2 suspected gun runners at Njimtilo check point along Maiduguri – Damaturu in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State and recovered 500 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1 locally made pistol, 1 vehicle, 3 mobile phones, 2 jack knives and other sundry items. ‘’Also, on 4 July 2023, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force conducted ambush operation at Mandara mountain, in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Following the operation, troops ambushed and neutralized notorious Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province commander identified as NAOIB Gambo Jundullah and recovered 1 AK47 rifle loaded with 4 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.‘’Equally, due to troops’ offensive operations against terrorists in the theatre of operations a total of 967 terrorists comprising 82 adult males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint area of operations’’, he said.He added that within the weeks in focus troops recovered 19 AK47 rifles, 1 HK 21 rifle, 4 dane guns, 1 locally made pistol, 1 Unexploded Explosive Ordinance, 15 AK47 magazines, 582 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 41 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 25 cartridges and 1 tear gas. Other items recovered included 2 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists uniforms, 4 mini solar panels, 2 wooden boats, 2 cutlasses, 3 daggers, 26 mobile phones, 5 blankets, cooking utensils, 15 livestock, 4 motorcycles, 3 bags of grains, 2 bags of sugar, 5 cartons of dry fish, 1 bag of flour, 1 bag of detergent, 3 vehicle, 4 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, He said that items also recovered were 617 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit, 30 litres of groundnut oil, 2 bags of fertilizer, 56 sheets of zinc, mosquito nets, mosquito coils, box of matches and other valuable items including a sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Five Naira (N354, 875.00) only.He added that besides the recovered items, Boko Haram Terrorists logistics suppliers and rescued civilians who were arrested hadggh been handed over to the relevant authority for further action while captured terrorists and surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists.
