In a significant operation, the Nigerian military reported the elimination of 108 terrorists and the rescue of 214 kidnapped hostages within a week. Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
During the operations, troops apprehended 204 suspected terrorists and other criminals, recovering 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 rounds of ammunition. The recovered items included one Dushku, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK56 rifle, and 37 AK47 rifles. Additionally, four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six Dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier, and two HH radios were seized.
Other recovered items included 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, and 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm. The troops also seized nine live cartridges, one belt of NATO ammo, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones, and N4.9 million.
In the North East, Operation Hadin Kai troops neutralized 47 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects, and rescued 130 hostages. A total of 622 terrorists, including 90 adult males, 182 adult females, and 350 children, surrendered during the week.
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted an airstrike on August 2 at a newly discovered BH/ISWAP hideout and IED factory in the Mandara Mountains, resulting in the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of the factory and logistics.
In the North Central, Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke troops neutralized 13 insurgents, apprehended 57 extremists, and rescued 36 hostages.
In the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji troops neutralized 15 terrorists, arrested 22, and rescued 27 hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. Air interdiction missions targeted terrorist kingpin Kamilu Burazu’s enclave and other hideouts, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists and the destruction of their structures and logistics.
Under Operation Whirl Punch, troops neutralized eight terrorists, arrested 22 suspects, and rescued 12 hostages in Kaduna, Niger, and Kogi States. The air component also eliminated several terrorists and destroyed the camp of a terrorist kingpin in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe troops recovered 1.13 million liters of stolen crude oil, 228,770 liters of illegally refined AGO, 100 liters of DPK, and 20,000 liters of PMS. They also discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats, 12 storage tanks, 71 cooking ovens, two speedboats, two pumping machines, and two HH radios. Additionally, 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, and one wheelbarrow were recovered, and 76 illegal refining sites were destroyed. Five hostages were rescued, and 32 suspects were apprehended.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA troops neutralized five terrorists, arrested 12 extremists, and rescued four hostages. All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.