•Arrest 2 notorious armed robbers in North West

•Rescue 33 kidnap victims

By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Authorities of the Nigerian military have said that no fewer than 5,890 Boko Haram commanders, terrorists along with their family members have surrendered to Nigerian troops under the Operation Hadin Kai, in the North East part of the country.

Directorate of Media Operations of the Defence Headquarters made this disclosure in Abuja, Thursday, that the counter insurgency efforts of the troops via both kinetic and non-kinetic operations compelled the terrorists to surrender in large numbers.

The terrorists, according to defence records show that a total of 565 BHT’s comprising 3 Commanders, 4 Amirs, 5 Nakibs and 5 cattle rustling specialists, out of the surrendered BHTs and their family members were handed over to the Borno State Government in Maiduguri for further management after thorough profiling.

The defence authorities added that troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists and their equipment resulting in recovery of a total of 52 assorted arms and 1,977 rounds of 7.62mm assorted calibre ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles with magazines, hand grenades, commando mortar guns, locally fabricated rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, Dane guns and Nigerian Police rifles among other items were recovered from surrendered terrorists and operations within the period.

In the same vein, a total of 7 terrorists collaborators/informants and logistics suppliers were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for necessary actions.

In the North West, through operation HADARIN DAJI, troops sustained their operations against the bandits’, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the zone.

Troops arrested two notorious armed robbers, 13 armed bandits informants, 2 AK 47 rifles, 15 motorcycles were recovered, 33 kidnap victims rescued, other 66 criminal elements were also arrested.

The operations that led to the significant results were carried out at Gidan Zuma village under Kwatarkwashi District and Bakinwa in Gusau LGA; Matuzgi and Gora Namaye village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State; and along Gurbi – Shimfida Road in Jibia LGA of Katsina State. Other locations where significant results were recorded include; Magam village in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State, Faskari Town and Batsari/Ruma general area in Batsari LGA and Jibia Town in Jibia LGA of Katsina State.

Relatedly, troops under Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested 20 persons involved in the attack and killing of 26 travellers at Rukuba Town in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. The arrested persons have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for further necessary action.

Also, troops through Operation WHIRL STROKE in Benue area repelled armed bandits’ attacks on villages, destroyed 3 criminal camps and recovered 23 rustled cows and 3 motorcycles.

The military authorities similarly confirmed reduction in IPOB/ESN activities in the South East.

Spokesman of the Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, further informs that the Chief of Defence staff (CDS) General LEO Irabor, while engaging in non-kinetic activities affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained at the forefront of tackling the myriad of security threat confronting the nation. Gen. Irabor equally allays fears of the general public on the ongoing mass surrender of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province ex-fighters while interacting with retired military veterans, solicited their support and assured the public of lasting peace and security in the country.

Update news