Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East and Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West killed 54 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the last two weeks.
Director Defence Media Operations Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on troops activities and operational successes in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the country from April 6 to April 20.
He said troops rescued 216 kidnapped victims from different theatres of operations.
In the same period, troops arrested 73 terrorists at different locations within the general area of operations, the Director stated.
According to him, a total of 501 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families of 60 males, 176 females and 266 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operation.
He said: “Notably, on 9 April 2023, troops acted on credible information and raided suspected terrorists enclaves within Askira Uba, Gwoza and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno state. In these operations troops made contact with the terrorists and following the various encounters troops neutralized 4 terrorists while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Troops destroyed their camps and enclaves and further exploited the surrounding bushes where they discovered and rescued 136 civilians comprising 46 adult females and 90 children.”
He said troops on patrol arrested 5 suspected terrorists logistic suppliers enroute Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno state. “Items recovered from the suspect include assorted food stuffs, beverages, food flasks, toiletries, cooking oil, soft drinks and cash,” he said.
“Same day, troops also arrested 3 suspected Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists logistic suppliers with 3 bags of gum Arabic at Benishiekh Market in Kaga Local Government Area of the same state. The suspects revealed that the gum Arabic was given to them by the terrorists to sell on their behalf and return the proceeds,” he added.
General Danmadami said all recovered items, arrested terrorists, terrorist’s logistics suppliers, were handed over to the relevant authority for further action. While the surrendered terrorists and members of their families were being profiled for further action.
“The rescued civilians were given medical attention before being handed over to relevant authorities for further action,” he said.
