Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said some terrorists who attempted to disrupt the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections were eliminated by troops.
Director Defence Media Operations Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this during a bi-weekly briefing with Defence Correspondents on the operational engagements of the military troops and other security agencies across the 6- geopolitical zones of the country between 23 February to 9 March, 2023 in Abuja
He said the terrorists met stiff resistance by troops as they attempted to disrupt the electoral process.
He said, troops also killed two terrorists and arrested seven in the zone within the period in focus.
He said,the airstrikes further destroyed terrorists’ logistics storehouses during the operation in the zone within the period.
Similarly, troops of Operation HADIN KAI OPHK have apprehended a Boko Haram terrorist commander alongside his wife and four children in an ambush operation on 24 February, 2023 at Gwoza town in Borno State.
General Danmadami stated that troops also ambushed and killed Eight terrorists and intercepted their logistics suppliers in the villages in Marte,Konduga, Bama, Biu, Monguno and Gwoza Local Government Area in Borno State.
According to him, troops achieved several feats as well as recovered cache of arms and ammunition during their engagements in the North East zone within the period under review.
“Troops equally neutralized 8 terrorist, arrested 35 terrorist logistics suppliers and rescued 19 civilians while a total of 1,332 terrorist and their family members comprising 222 adult males, 411 adult females and 699 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of Operations.
“All recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.” he noted.
In the North West Zone, the Director noted that troops on 24 February 2023, based on credible intelligence,intercepted a female bandit collaborator at Gusau in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, who was enroute Taraba State with the sum N1,093,000.00 only concealed in a cosmetic bag.
The recovered sum was said to be for the purchase of arms and ammunitions in Taraba State.
He said, troops within the period in the zone, conducted several operations with unprecedented successes recorded.
“Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in the North West zone recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 158 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 locally fabricated weapon, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, 2 dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 1 handheld radio, 9 bicycles, 39 rustled cows, 74 sheep and the sum of N10,595,580.00 only.
“Troops also neutralized 13 bandits as well as rescued 23 kidnapped victims. All recovered items and rescued victims were handed over to appropriate authority for further action.” he explained.
