Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday assured residents of their safety during and after the festive period.
The Director, Defence Information, Major-General Jimmy Akpor stated this during the bi-weekly media briefing on military operations across the country.
Earlier, Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO) Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami said troops of Operations Hadin Kai in the North-east and Hadarin Daji in the North – West have killed 130 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa State Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the last three weeks.
He also said troops apprehended 4 terrorists commanders and 12 logistics suppliers.
The DDMO, added that 423 terrorists and members of their families comprisesing 41 males, 126 females and 222 children surrendered to troops.
Giving a break down of items recovered from the terrorists, Danmadami said: “Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus, troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 2 G3 rifles, 5 FN rifles, 2 QJC guns, 1 gun truck, 2,411 rounds of 7.62mm special, 143 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 barreta pistol, 26 AK47 magazines, 4 bandoliers, 4 x 36 hand grenades, 1 x 42 hand grenade, 1 RPG tube, 1 HEAP bomb, 1 HEAT bomb, 1 mortar tube, 2 mortar tripod stands and a 60mm mortar bomb.
“Other items recovered are 33 motorcycles, 33 bicycles, medical suppliers, 50 pieces of males and females fabrics, bags of grains, jerrycans of groundnut oil, cartons of detergents, the sum of N291,060.00 and other sundry items.”
According to him, all recovered items, rescued civilians and arrested terrorists have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
The defence spokesman also said troops in conjunctions with other security agencies raided Karamajiji and Lugbe general areas in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory to rid the general area of the menace of criminal elements.
According to him, during the operations, the team intercepted a total of Four Hundred and Twenty Nine (429) motorcycles.
“The motorcycles were subsequently crushed same day in an open field at Lugbe in the presence of all participating security agencies.
“Equally, on 16 December 2022, troops in conjunction with other security agencies conducted fighting patrol to Kassanki village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and arrested 5 suspected kidnappers in their hideout. ”
He said troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West Zone of the country have sustained operational activities through the conduct of fighting patrols, raid and clearance operations to clear bandits and terrorists enclaves within various towns and Local Government Areas of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna states respectively.
