Military targeting terrorists leaders, says DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says the military has continued to target the leadership and chains of command of the terrorists, insurgents and extremist groups undermining the security of the country.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, on Friday in Abuja.

Buba said the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country yielded encouraging results.

He said the operations of the last week had resulted in the elimination of no fewer than 50 terrorists and the arrest of 122 of them in different operations across the country.

According to him, the troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 182 kidnapped hostages.

He added that the troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 11,474 assorted ammunition, comprising one conqueror APC, one GPMG, one NSVT gun, one GT3 rifle, 25 AK47 rifles, four pump action guns and two locally made AK47 rifles.

He said, “Items recovered also include three locally-made guns, one locally-made revolver gun, four locally fabricated pistols and four long Dane guns, two locally made hand grenades and one bandolier.

“Others are 574 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 640 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, five rounds of 9mm ammo, 10,520 live cartridges and five vehicles, 27 mobile phones.

“Others are 12 motorcycles, three baofeng radios, one Motorolla HHR, three bicycles, one solar panel, one solar charger controller, one radio receiver and the sum of N75.9 million amongst other items.”

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 33 terrorists, apprehended 13 and rescued 132 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms within the week.

In the North Central, he said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 20 terrorists, apprehended 34 and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages with recovery of a different calibre and arms and ammunition.

Buba said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised terrorists, arrested nine terrorists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages during the week.

In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 20 terrorists, arrested 48 terrorists and rescued 56 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered several weapons.

According to him, the air component, on Nov. 11, acquired and subsequently conducted air interdiction on the enclave of a terrorist leader identified as ‘Damina' in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“Also, troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised four terrorists, arrested eight suspected terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped hostages as well as recovered arms and the sum of N75 million,” he said.

In the Niger Delta region, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 242 dugout pits, 49 boats, 78 storage tanks, one tricycle, 21 vehicles, 104 cooking ovens, three pumping machines, seven outboard engines and 49 illegal refining sites.

He added that the troops recovered 151,850 litres of stolen crude oil, 48,630 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,125 litres of DPK.

“The armed forces will continue to apply strong military pressure such as has been witnessed in the week.

“The terrorist and their cohorts would continue to suffer heavy casualties and it is in their interest to surrender as being done in the North East of the country to avoid eventual destruction,” he added.

NAN