The Defence Headquarters says a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorists and families have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 Children in Borno State, North East, Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this during bi-weekly briefing in Abuja.
General Onyeuko said that; “the land component with the support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre such as: Ukuba/Camp Zairo, Sabil Huda, Ba Masaa, Wulgo, Marta,fulatari village, Uraha Crossing Point, Mbalala, Gamboru town of the State.”
Notably among the exploits of the troops was the capture of the terrorist’s stronghold by Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa Forest where some artillery guns, Armored Personnel Carrier, trailers, and large cache of arms and ammunition were captured.
According to him, troops destroyed terrorist enclaves, captured some terrorists and destroyed terrorists’ improvised explosive making factory.
Furthermore, troops also rescued kidnapped civilians and arrested terrorist’s spies and their logistics suppliers.
General Onyeuko said that; “ after several days of surveillance of terrorists activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram, the Air Component with this period under review, conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot.”
Cumulatively, in the last 2 weeks troops recovered 1 Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1 MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorists flags, 1 tricycle and 1 active drone.
Also, “troops neutralised scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, and rescued 30 civilians, of significant is the surrendered of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to the troops in Bama,” General Onyeuko said.
He stated that the terrorist Commander was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba.
Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented while arrested; rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
OPERATION THUNDER Strike
The Director noted that within the period under review, the troops recorded some modest success as the air component conducted air strikes upon receiving credible intelligence report about the movements of some terrorists on motorbikes towards Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa road at Mangoro village, between Kaduna and Niger State.
General Onyeuko said that “the air component intercepted and neutralized scores of the terrorists.”
Accordingly, 34 terrorists were neutralised while 14 locally fabricated guns and 17 motorcycles were recovered.
He said that “all recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
”Also, a large concentration of terrorist were sighted around Kusasu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to eyewitness account.”
OPERATION DELTA safe
General Onyeuko also noted that troops in OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre have continued to dominate the zone and conducted anti crude oil theft and anti-illegal oil bunkering related operations at different locations which include; Opuama Celestial, Lolomu Ruler in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo water-ways in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta and Bayelsa States.
Accordingly, troops discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, 2 cooling systems, 3 receivers, 3 storage pits and b metal drums.
Cumulatively, troops with the period under review recovered 12,150,000 liters of illegal refined AGO, 4,000 liters of stolen crude oil, 3 tankers, 3 vehicles, 73 galvanised pipes, 2 motorcycles, 1 bus, 1 Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz car.
Furthermore, 2 electricity cable thieves associated with vandalisation and theft of high-tension cables were apprehended. All recovered items and apprehended criminal elements were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
General Onyeuko said that troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN organised a cultural day event as a non-kinetic measure to promote tolerance among the diverse culture and custom of the people towards harmonious co-existence with one another.
According to him, during the Peace and Unity Cultural Day Celebration edition held in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and the first Peace and Unity Gwash Ball tournament held in Jos Plateau State, the Commander Operation Safe Haven called on youths in Plateau and Kaduna States to distance themselves from any act capable of compromising the collective peace of the people and take the lead in development ventures of the society.
He noted that in attendance were the Chairman Sanga Local Government, Tradition rulers of Ninzo, Gwantu, the paramount ruler of the Anaguta Kingdom, Director of Sport Plateau State and Igbo Community leader in Plateau State.
Highlights of the events were presentation of cash, medal and trophy to winners and participants.
OPERATION HADARIN DAJI
General Onyeuk said troops in OPERATION HARADIN DAJI theatre of Operation continued to intensify offensives against bandits and other criminal elements in their operational activities in different locations Zamfara and Sokoto States respectively.
Consequently, troops within the weeks under review neutralized 10 bandits, rescued 5 civilians, arrested 7 bandits and recovered 3 AK 47 rifles, 7 magazines, 5 MC and 8 dane guns.
All rescued civilians, apprehended bandits and items recovered have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
General Onyeuko noted that troops in OPERATION WHIRL STROKE continued sustained offensive attacks on bandits and other criminals to checkmate their unlawful activities with operational patrols and clearance operations in various locations in Benue and Nasarawa States.
Subsequently, troops within the week under review recovered 3 dane guns, 10 cell phones, 2 locally made pistols, 2 smoke grenades, 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 motorcycles, 1 AK 47 magazine and 5 cutlasses.
General Onyeuk said that “troops also neutralised 3 bandits and apprehended 9 bandits. All recovered items as well as the apprehended bandits were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
Meanwhile, the military high command has assured Nigerians of the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to deal with all terrorists and other criminal elements in the Country.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
