The Defence Headquarters have said that no fewer than 466 Bok Haram and ISWAP terrorists have surrendered to the superior offensives of Nigerian troops at the theatres of operations.

Giving highlight of the operations conducted by the troops and other security agencies to tackle insecurity between February 10 and 24, 2022, at Defence Headquarters on Thursday, February 24, 2022, Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, said 209 children were among the numbers of the surrendering terrorists.

He said that under OPERATION HADIN KAI, the troops conducted operations along Pulka-Kariwa, Kekeno, Road Gwoza-Limankava-Damboa Biu road to Sabon Gari at Mandaragrau in Biu Local Government Area, Gadayi Village in Gubio Local Government Area, Mandara Hill in Gwoza Local Government Area, as well as Kirta Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area all in Borno State.

He said: “Troops Operational activities in Bama, Mafa, Dikwa, Gamboru,Gwoza, Banki junction and Kondiya all in Borno State led to the Surrendering of 466 Boko Haram and ISWAP Terrorists and their families, comprising 120 Adult Males, 137 adult females and 209 children with the claimed to have lost interest in the BHT ideology.”

Disclosing further he said: “On 11 Feb the Air Component of OPERATION HADIN KAI carried out air interdiction at Bukar Mairam village in Marte Local Government Area, in the process Mohammed Yusuf the leader of Rijal Amn Special Forces was neutralised. Cumulatively, the troops within the last two weeks, neutralised 63 fighters, arrested 86 members of the terrorists, recovered 4 gun trucks, 25 AK47 rifles, 56 magazines with 6.2mm special ammunitions, 78 rounds of different calibers of ammunitions, 67 packets of rounds on links, 3 FN grenades and 3 bandoliers. Additionally, 20 abducted civilians were rescued by own troops.

“The surrendered terrorists have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.”

Speaking on OPERATION HADARIN DAJI, he noted that the troops within the period under review conducted several operational at different locations.

He listed the areas to include Manya Village in Anka Local Government Area, Gidan Wanzamai Village, Babege Village in Maru Local Government Area, Mada, Tudun Wada, Butsa and South Rafi in Gusau Local Government Area, Kaura Namoda, Getawa, Ungwan Kade, Ahole and Totsari Villages in Zamfara State, among others.

“In a related development Onyeuko said, “the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted air strikes on Boko Haram enclaves at Magama Village, Tsaunin Babare Village and Tsamben Babare Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State where a notorious bandit leader.”

Adding, Onyeuko said: “One Mallam Dogo Umaru and scores of his foot soldier were neutralized. Cumulatively, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 6.2mm ammunitions, 20 motorcycles, 40 herds of rustled cows, 50 rams. Troops also rescued 10 kidnapped civilians, arrested 10 bandits and neutralized 10 bandits. All arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities”.

Regarding OPERATION SAFE HAVEN, he disclosed that the troops of sustained their Kinetic and non-kinetic operations in different locations of the theatre which yielded notable results at Sabon Gari Village in Wase Local Government Area, Tahan Village in Bokkos Local Government Area, Kwalla District in Quan’an Pan Local Government Area, Sabo Gidan Kanal Village in Jos South, Bisichi Du in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and Bindi Community in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Onyeuko said other locations are; Kajuru Local Government Area, Pari Ikulu in Kauru Local Government Area, Sabon Kaura Village, Zaman Kataf Local Government Area in Kaduna State.

He said part of the non-kinetic measures was a peace summit held in Bassa LGA for Irigwe youths and Fulani youths on February 17, 2022.

“The peace summit was a prelude to the implementation of a peace plan by a committee that worked out modalities towards achieving lasting peace in the area. Accordingly, a total of 1 AK 47 rifle, 2 locally made guns, 4 rustled cows, 1Toyota Camry car and I Mikano generating set were recovered, while 3 Cattle rustlers and 2 Kidnappers were arrested. Also, a total of 60 displaced persons were rescued and taken to shelter.

“All recovered items and rescued persons have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions,” he said.

“Also, over the past two weeks, OPERATION DELTA SAFE conducted clearance operations in different locations in creeks, villages, towns and communities in Sama Rumodogo in Degema Local Government Area, Rumuji, Elele Alimini in Emouha Local Government Area, Ogbogolo in Abiakpo Local Government Area, Benstave Community Cree in Akuku, Toru Local Government Area of River State.

“Troops also conducted clearance operations in; Ikebiri Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Ozobo Communities in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“In the same vein, the troops carried out clearance operations in Yeye Creek in Burutu Local Government Area and Efiye Community in Warri Local Government Area of Delta. Ikot Iwang Community in Bakassi of Cross River State and Ozaku Community, Owaza forest in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

“Consequently, the troops recovered a total of One million, One hundred and eighteen thousand, One hundred and Seventy-Five litres (1,118,175 litres) of illegal AGO and Two Million and Eight Six Thousand litres (2,086.000 litres) of stolen crude oil.

“Similarly, troops discovered 38 refining sites, 100 metal storage tanks, 25 dugout pits, 75 cooking ovens, 20 cotonou boats, 35 Yamaha pumping machines, 15 coolants as well as 10 tankers were recovered.

“Also, 35 galvanized pipes illegally connected were destroyed. Furthermore, 13 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization were arrested. All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions,” Onyeuko said.

The Defence Spokesman said under OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE/WHIRL PUNCH, the air component carried out air interdiction on terrorist/bandits enclaves in South of Damari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a painstaking air reconnaissance missions on terrorist/bandits enclaves.

His words: “The air interdiction neutralized several armed terrorists close to the Nigerian Defence Academy. The armed bandits numbering about 75 engaged ground troops in a fierce battle around Labi general area along the Kaduna – Birnin Gwari road.

“The bandits came under heavy airstrikes which aided the ground forces to effectively engaged the bandits and neutralized bandits.

“Consequently, the operation resulted in the neutralization of a total of 55 bandits. Similarly, own troops in Agasha in Guma Local government area of Benue State in an encounter with criminals at the Gbekyor general area rescued 10 kidnapped civilians and arrested 3 of the criminal elements.”

Onyeuko went on to say that troops on clearance operations on February 22, 2022 in Mbayongo area in Katsina Ala Local Government Area came in a contact with bandits terrorizing the area and neutralized 1 bandit, arrested and recovered two locally made guns, one pistol, 69mm rounds, 7.62mm special.

According to him, “The rescued civilians and arrested criminals have been handed to the appropriate authorities for further actions.”

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