No fewer than 82 terrorists have been killed by military airstrikes at Rafin Dankura in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State when they engaged troops in a shootout.

The Military High Command, which disclosed this on Thursday at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said the terrorists were trying to abduct innocent civilians when the troops attached to the Forward Operation Base, Bakura, Operation HADARIN DAJI responded to the distress calls.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, at a press briefing, also said at least 4,770 terrorists surrendered to the Nigerian military in Borno State between June 16 and 30, 2022.

According to him, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on June 22 carried out air interdiction at Kofar Danya Village in Bukkuyum Local Government area of Zamfara State.

He said the airstrike was executed following reports of a planned attack on Kofar Danya Village. The air component mobilized to the location and sighted over 150 terrorists converged under thick vegetation.

Onyeuko explained that the Nigerian Air Force platforms engaged the terrorists with heavy bombardment which destroyed the terrorist’s concentration camp.

“Consequently, credible feedback from the locals around Kofar Danya disclosed that over 82 of the terrorists suffered heavy casualties as many of them were neutralized while others sustained various degrees of injuries,” he said.

He added that after the encounter, troops rescued the six kidnapped civilians and neutralised two bandits in the process and recovered two AK 47 rifles, one 36 hand grenade, two cell phones and N211, 915.00.

Speaking further, the senior military officer also said troops made contact with marauding terrorists at Maigora in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and neutralized two terrorists in the process.

In the North-East, he said troops of Operation HADIN KAI rescued abducted persons, neutralized terrorists, and arrested terrorist members in the period under review.

Also, he said troops of 152 Battalion at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State between 17 and 18 June 2022 encountered fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province fighters and engaged the terrorists and neutralised seven, recovered 14 rustled cattle and three bicycles.

The troops also arrested some terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers on June 21, 2022.

Onyeuko said, “Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira along Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.

“Consequently, troops neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 11 and recovered 14 rustled cattle, two AK47 rifles, three bicycles, two locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one golf 2 car.

“Also, members of Boko Haram terrorists have continued to surrender to our troops at different locations in the theatre between June 1 – 15, 2022 a total of 4,770 of them comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children,” he said.

He said all surrendered Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families were profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions. (Daily Trust)

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