Troops eliminated 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 other criminals and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages in various military operations across the country during the third quarter of the year.
Director Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Edward Buba gave the disclosures on Thursday during the regular bi-weekly media briefing on operational successes of the armed forces between August and September in the various operational theaters within all the six geo-political zones of the country.
Major General Edward Buba disclosed that significant terrorist kingpins, commanders and combatants were killed in several offensive raids and operations across the theatres of operations.
According to him, those eliminated included Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko and Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir.
“Others are: Kachalla Dan Baleri, Kachallah Halilu (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya and Ofem Emmanuel Igwe, among several others,” he said.
In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 792 terrorists, apprehended 606 suspects and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages, adding that troops also recorded no fewer than 7,283 surrender of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families as well as recovery of several cache of arms and ammunition.
Major General Edward Buba further said the military also impounded 1,304 weapons, 43,347 ammunitions comprising 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among others, during the quarter under review.
He said “Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 191 assorted arms and 8,292 assorted ammo.
“Others are 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst other item. Accordingly , the nations daily crude oil production output is at an all time high with the nations daily target in sight”.
Major General Edward Buba stated that Operation HADIN KAI in the North East recorded significant successes, neutralized 792 terrorists, arrested 606 suspects, and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages, noting that the troops, in a quest to disrupt terrorist activities in region, also recovered 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles, and 9,653 rounds of ammunition.
The air component of Operation Hadin Kai, he said, conducted air interdictions to several terrorists’ enclaves such as Mandara Mountain, Maradun, Southern Tumbun Fulani among others.
“The air interdictions conducted killed several terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants as well as destroyed their logistics dumps.
“Troops diminished the terrorist military capabilities by recovering 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles 9,653 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3,147 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among others,” he said.
Major General Edward Buba said that in the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 122 violent extremist, nabbed 513 suspects and rescued 305 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said, troops eliminated 109 terrorists, apprehended 203 suspects and rescued 210 kidnapped hostages while
in the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 598 terrorists, apprehended 325 suspects and rescued 523 kidnap hostages within the period under review.
He added that troops recovered 162 AK47 rifles, 72 fabricated guns, 39 assorted arms, 4,984 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,491 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1,852 assorted ammunitions.
Under Operation Whirl Punch, Major General Edward Buba said that troops neutralised 217 terrorists, nabbed 448 suspects and rescued 217 kidnap hostages as well as recovered cache of arms.
According to him, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air strikes where terrorist enclaves were destroyed and obliterated at Mariga, Kabago, Alawa Forest, Kwaki forest, East Getamiya, Katarma, Chikun, Kuduru and Giwa among others in Niger and Kaduna States.
“Furthermore, troops intercepted and apprehended suspected gunrunner kingpins namely: Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, Mallam Hassan Iliyasu and Hashimu Ahmad, among others,” he added.
He noted that the military had continued to succeed in weakening the fighting capabilities of the terrorists across the various theatres of operation.
