– Rescue 52 civilians
Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North-east killed 29 terrorists, arrested 55 and rescued 52 civilians in the last two weeks.
Outgoing Director Defence Media Operations (DMO) Maj.-Gen Benard Onyeuko stated this in his valedictory briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
He said a total of One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Five (1,755) Boko Haram terrorists’ members and their families comprising of 280 males, 523 females and 952 children surrendered to troops at different location within the week under review.
Gen. Onyeuko said all surrendered terrorists and their families were profiled and handed over to relevant authority.
He also said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West Zone on routine patrol arrested 5 suspected foreign bandits named, Muritala Wada, Saminu Sani, Shamisu Adamu, Salisu Saadu and Usman Ibrahim at Jibia in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina state.
According to him, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force also arrested Hussain Dungus, Ali Bulama Jidda and Mallam Ali Abuna terrorist logistics suppliers on 6 August 2022 at and Buni Yadi general area.
He said items recovered from the suspects include the sum of One Million Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three Thousand Seven Hundred naira (1,793,700.00) only, large quantity of assorted food stuffs, 3 handsets, 2 bicycles and other sundries.
The Defence spokesperson also said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on 3 August 2022 at Degbawa near Mandara Mountains in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state.
According to him, the airstrike led to the neutralization of a key Islamic State of West Africa Province Commander Alhaji Modu (aka Bem Bem) and his fighters.
He said information gathered from the locals revealed that 20 terrorists were confirmed dead in the strike at the location where the terrorists converged for a meeting before the strike.
“Furthermore, between 31 July and 2 August 2022, troops arrested one Mallam Yahaya a notorious bandit informant who has been on the tracking list of the Department of State Security for collaborating with bandits on the numerous attacks in Sabon Brini general area of Sokoto state,” he said.
Continuing, he said Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 6 August 2022 carried out successful strikes on key terrorists enclave and hideout located at Rudu forest in Katsina state.
“The air interdiction led to the neutralization of a high profiled terrorist leader who has been on the wanted list of the military named Alhaji Abdulkareem Lawal (aka Abdulkareem Boss) and his foot soldiers.
“Credible intelligence report revealed that he was responsible for several terrorists’ attacks, animal rustling and kidnapping and was also known to regularly invite terrorists group from other areas and regions to join in the attack on his targets. Report gathered from the locals revealed that the terrorists’ leaders was neutralized alongside 27 of foot soldiers,” he added.
