By OKODILI NDIDI, Abuja

No fewer than 71 terrorists, including two female logistics suppliers, Mrs Aisha Umar, 19, and Mrs Kaltumi Bakura,20, have been arrested by troops in Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) Camp in Bama, Borno State.

Thirty-one of the insurgents were also neutralised within the time under review, the Defence Headquarters disclosed.

Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, revealed that within the period in focus, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, conducted a series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results.

He said: “The sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering.

“Some of these operations were executed at different locations in Borno and Yobe States, including; Rann, Dalayazara, Gwange Kura, Bam Buratai, Makintakuri and Muduvi villages as well as Marte – Dikwa and Buni Yadi – Jauro Bashir roads.

“In the course of these operations within the period of 2 weeks, 31 terrorists were neutralized and 71 of them arrested including two women logistics suppliers namely Mrs Aisha Umar 19 years with a child of (2 years) and Mrs Kaltumi Bakura 20 years all resident at IDP Camp in Bama.

“Also a total of 122 assorted weapons recovered. Additionally, a total of 97 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while a total of 1,186 of BHT elements and their families comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in Borno State.

“All recovered items have been handed appropriately and rescued victims reunited with their families, while arrested and surrendered terrorists have been profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for further action”.

On Operation Hadarin Daji, he said:

“Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review. These operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino Town in Danmusa LGA as well as Gidan Diya village and Faskari town in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Other locations were; Gusau – Magami road in Maru LGA; Dauran village in Zurmi LGA and Munhaya forest, all in Zamfara State as well as Zodi Hills along Zuru road in Kebbi State.

“Cumulatively, a total of 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 armed bandits were neutralized and 6 kidnapped civilians were rescued; while 12 assorted arms and 77 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered within the period of 2 weeks.”

“In the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites. These feats were recorded in Brass, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State; while in Delta State, some significant achievements were recorded in Sapele, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs. Also attendant results were recorded in Ahoada, Onne, Elele, Isiokpo, Emoha, Port Harcourt, Isong Enwang, Akwa Ibom State, Bonny and Ikwere LGAs of Rivers State.

“Cumulatively, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 20 illegal refining sites, 62 ovens, 12 cooking pots/boilers, 8 cooling systems, 19 reservoirs, 18 large dugout pits and 88 storage tanks. Additionally, eight criminal elements, including two impostors were arrested and seven arms and 3 rounds of ammunition, among other items were recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone.

“Additionally, troops rescued 13 kidnapped civilians within the period. Consequently, a total of one million, two hundred and three thousand, two hundred and fifty litres (1,252,250ltrs) of illegally refined AGO and one million, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and forty litres (1,140,340ltrs) of stolen crude were recovered in the course of the operations. Furthermore, troops neutralized three armed robbers and rescued two kidnapped civilians; while five criminal elements associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period”. (The Nation)

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