By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops neutralised scores of terrorists, eliminated several high-value insurgent leaders and rescued dozens of kidnapped victims in nationwide operations in the last one week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while providing updates on military operations conducted between Feb. 28 and March 6.

Onoja said the troops also intercepted about 51,000 litres of stolen crude oil within the past week.

He said the operations, conducted across all theatres, targeted terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminal elements threatening national security.

According to him, troops of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, intensified offensive operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists.

He said troops neutralised several terrorists, apprehended 20 suspects, facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents and their families, and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.

“Notably, the air component conducted precision strikes on terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest which neutralised key terrorist ring leaders identified as Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbem, alongside fighter Hussaini Ubaida.

“Human intelligence further indicates that over 18 terrorist commanders and 42 fighters were eliminated during the strike,” he said.

Onoja said troops also foiled terrorist attacks in Bama and Nganzai Local Government Areas of Borno, recovering arms, ammunition, armed drones, anti-tank bombs and materials for manufacturing improvised explosive devices.

In the North-West theatre, he said troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised several terrorists, arrested eight suspects and rescued five hostages during coordinated operations across Zamfara and Kaduna states.

He said troops also intercepted arms and 542 rounds of ammunition concealed in a bag of rice during a stop-and-search operation.

Onoja said troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD operating in Niger and Kwara states neutralised more than 17 terrorists during an intense gun battle in Roguwa Forest in Patigi Local Government Area of Niger.

He added that troops also intercepted eight 50-kg bags of ammonium chloride, a chemical precursor used in the production of improvised explosive devices.

In the North-Central region, he said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested 12 suspected terrorists in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi.

“Items recovered from the suspects include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, mobile phones and the sum of N645,000.

“Preliminary exploitation of their phones revealed suspicious coded contacts linked to criminal networks,” he said.

According to Onoja, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE also arrested suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna and Plateau states and recovered fabricated rifles and other weapons.

In the South-South region, he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.

He said troops destroyed four illegal refining sites, arrested seven suspects and intercepted large volumes of stolen petroleum products.

“On Feb. 27, troops intercepted a wooden boat carrying about 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil near Cool Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers.

“In total, about 50,970 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products were recovered during the week,” he said.

Onoja added that troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East sustained operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

He said troops arrested five suspected terrorists and recovered arms, foreign currency and other incriminating materials during clearance operations in Imo, Cross River and Abia states.

He said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the gallantry and professionalism of troops across all theatres of operation.

Onoja added that the CDS also urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces with credible intelligence to sustain the fight against terrorism and other security threats in the country. (NAN)