The Nigerian troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralised over 35 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists.
Twelve suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistic suppliers in North-east, Nigeria were also arrested.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami stated this during a Bi-weekly briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital saying the briefing covered the period from 8th to 22 September 2022.
General Danmadami said; “21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 RPG bombs, 25 Dane guns, 4 explosive ordinance store, 2 bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, 1 tricycle, 19 cell phones,28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.00 was recovered among other items”.
Equally, a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province criminals and their families comprises 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to their troops at different locations in the theatre.
All recovered items rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.
According to the Director, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI have arrested 2 suspected terrorists’ collaborators at Access Bank, PZ Branch in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State, North West, Nigeria while trying to withdraw the sum of Fourteen Million Naira (14,000,000.00) deposited into the account of one Alhaji Abubakar a suspected terrorist financier.
He noted that ”troops also conducted operational activities in villages, communities and towns in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna State during which the troops neutralised 16 suspected terrorists and arrested 10 notorious terrorists at different locations in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.’”
General Danmadami said that “troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 17 mobile phones, 2 motorcycles, 3 locally made rifles, 3 pairs of woodland camouflage, 118 rustled sheep, 4 baofeng radio and N29,250.00 while21 civilians were rescued.”
All recovered items, arrested terrorists and rescued civilians were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.
Furthermore, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 13th Sept. 2022 conducted an air interdiction operation at an identified terrorist hideout in Dutse Babare in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He noted that ”the air strike led to the neutralisation of a terrorist leader identified as Ibrahim Dangawo and other members of his gang.”
According to him, a similar, operation was carried out at Gidan Guga in Faskari Local Government Area also in Katsina State, at an identified terrorist enclave. He said that ”the airstrike led to the neutralization of a terrorist kingpin known as Babaru who has been on the wanted list of security agents.”
Another major feat
Equally, another major feat was recorded with the neutralization of a large number of terrorists at Kawari axis in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State which revealed that the terrorist group has been responsible for the kidnapping and robbing of people in that general area.
The Director noted that troops of Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE theatre of operation have continued to sustain offensive actions against oil thieves and economic saboteurs through its kinetic operations towards denying the criminal elements freedom of action to create a conducive environment for economic activities in the Joint Operation Area to thrive, in South-South of the country.
Accordingly, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted patrol, raids, clearance and swamp buggy operations in the creeks, villages, communities and towns in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State.
Consequently, within the weeks in focus, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, 17 wooden boats, 103 storage tanks, 94 ovens and 58 dugout pits.
Troops also recovered 10 trucks, 1 generator, 1 tanker, 2 vehicles, 8 pumping machines, arrested 17 pipelines vandals while a total of Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Five (7,805)Barrels of crude oil and Two Thousand Six Hundred and Thirteen (2,613)Barrels of Automotive Gas Oil were recovered.
In addition, a total of N134,670,255.72 of Automotive Gas Oil and N402,419,846.04 were denied the oil thieve.
Accordingly, a total approximated value of products denied oil thieves within the period under review was N537,090,102.12.
The Military High Command has commended the troop’s efforts in the various theatres of operation across the Country as the media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in their quest to return peace to the Country.
Meanwhile, the briefing had the Director of Defence Information, former Director of Defence Media Operations and the Spokesmen of Army, his representative, and Air Force amongst others.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
