Operational Review: Troops neutralizes 1,937 Terrorists

Martha Obi, Abuja

 

The Nigerian troops have neutralized 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages in the third quarter of 2024.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba made this known while briefing Journalists on ongoing military operations in different parts of the country in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

General Buba said that “troops recovered 1,304 weapons, 43,347 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N13 Billion (N13,081,605,534.00) only”.

According to him, the breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 191 assorted arms and 8,292 assorted ammo.

Others are 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst other items.

“The nation’s daily crude oil production output is at an all-time high with the nation’s daily target in sight.

“During the third quarter of the year, troops of OP HADIN KAI neutralised 792 terrorists, arrested 606 suspects and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages.”

Additionally, troops recorded a total of 7,283 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families.

Details as follows:

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	254	292	246	792
2.	Surrendered BHT/Families	3,976	2,742	565	7,283
3.	Arrested Terrorists	167	254	185	606
4.	Rescued Hostages	80	213	183	476
5.	Recovered Weapons	178	209	144	531
6.	Recovered Ammunition	3,991	5,440	6,099	15,530
7.	Equipment Recovered	108	144	109	361

 

North Central

He noted that overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 122 violent extremists, arrested 513 suspects and rescued 305 kidnap hostages.  Troops equally recovered 48 AK47 rifles, 41 fabricated guns, 52 assorted arms, 9,457 rounds of 7.62mm special, 378 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 278 assorted ammunition.

Details are as follows:

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	50	50	22	122
2.	Arrested Suspects	135	290	88	513
3.	Rescued Hostages	80	121	104	305
4.	Weapons Recovered	43	36	26	105
5.	Ammunitions Recovered	1,163	3,069	5,982	10,214
6.	Equipment Recovered	14	25	40	79

 

Operation Whirl Stroke (North Central)

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted operations to combat security threats posed by banditry, kidnapping, gunrunning, and herders/farmers clashes. The operations significantly mitigated security challenges in Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba States.

“Overall, during the third quarter of the year, troops of  Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 109 terrorists, arrested 203 suspects and rescued 210 kidnapped hostages”, he said.

Details are as follows:

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	24	37	48	109
2.	Arrested Suspects	56	94	53	203
3.	Rescued Hostages	59	68	83	210
4.	Weapons Recovered	8	13	30	51
5.	Ammunitions Recovered	162	1,481	1,157	2,800
6.	Equipment Recovered	10	26	25	61

 

North West

During the third quarter of the year, troops of OP HADARIN DAJI witnessed several threats such as kidnap for ransom, attack on remote communities and communal clashes. Troops sustained offensive operations to destroy and disrupt terrorists across the NW region.

He noted that troops offensive activities combined with the synergy between the security agencies and intelligence agencies resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorists leaders, commanders and combatants such as: IBN Kasir, Kachalla Ɗan Baleri, Kachalla Dogo Kwaɗɗi, Lawalli Dodo, Kachalla Naguru, Kachalla Ɗan-Babirki, Kachalla Hana-Zuwa, Kachalla Adamu, Kachallah Halilu Jimmare (Buzu), Kachalla Jamilu Zakiru, Alhaji Bello, Alhaji Sule, Mallam Gajere Mai’Yargitta and Sani Black amongst others.

Overall, troops of Op HADARIN DAJI neutralized 598 terrorists, arrested 325 suspects and rescued 523 kidnap hostages. Troops also recovered 162 AK47 rifles, 72 fabricated guns, 39 assorted arms, 4,984 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,491 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1,852 assorted ammunition.

Details are as follows;

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	152	153	293	598
2.	Arrested Terrorists	102	97	126	325
3.	Rescued Hostages	144	186	193	523
4.	Weapon Recovered	99	68	147	314
5.	Ammunition Recovered	2,635	2,058	4,634	9,327
6.	Equipment Recovered	84	87	136	307

 

Operation Whirl Punch

Troop’s tenacity and operations intensity led to the elimination of several violent extremists and terrorists’ kingpins including: Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zagon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur, Kamilu Buzaru, Kachalla Sani Black, SP Liman Haliru, Kachalla Baleri Fakai and Halilu Sabubu.

Additionally, troops intercepted and apprehended suspected gunrunner kingpins namely: Musa Abdullahi, Mallam Hassan Iliyasu and Hashimu Ahmad among others.

Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following in the third quarter of the year. Troops neutralized 217 terrorists, arrested 448 suspects and rescued 217 kidnap hostages.

Details are as follows;

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	66	63	88	217
2.	Arrested Suspects	76	291	81	448
3.	Rescued Hostages	97	62	58	217
4.	Weapons Recovered	39	43	67	149
5.	Ammunitions Recovered	1,063	2,754	8,149	11,966
6.	Equipment Recovered	17	47	46	110

 

Operation Delta Safe (South South)

Troops of Op DELTA SAFE maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft during the third quarter of the year. Troops continued to find and destroy illegal refining sites as well as arrest the perpetrators of crude oil theft.

During the period, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE neutralized 6 violent extremists, arrested 447 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages. Troops also denied the oil theft of  12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS.

Furthermore, troops recovered 48 assorted weapons and destroyed 370 wooden boats, 672 assorted ammunition and 897 illegal refining sites.

Details as follows:

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	–	–	6	6
2.	Arrested Terrorists	137	71	239	449
3.	Rescued Hostages	–	45	3	48
4.	Weapons recovered	–	35	13	48
5.	Boats destroyed	91	125	154	370
6.	Ammunitions Recovered	53	194	425	672
8.	Illegal refining sites	173	458	266	897
9.	Vehicles	59	63	44	166

 

Operation Udo Ka (South East)

Overall, troops of Op UDO KA neutralized 93 terrorists, arrested 240 suspects and rescued 75 kidnap hostages.

Troops also recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 47 pump action guns, 384 rounds of 7.62mm special, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 762 live cartridges and 545 assorted ammunition.

Details are as follows:

 

Serial	Op Activity	Jul	Aug	Sep	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	26	34	33	93
2.	Arrested Terrorists	117	82	41	240
3.	Rescued Hostages	19	26	30	75
4.	Weapons Recovered	73	23	13	109
5.	Ammunitions Recovered	1,522	238	78	1,838
6.	Equipment Recovered	49	33	13	95

 

Overall Summary Of Joint Task Force Operations

Details are as follows:

Serial	Op Activity	HK	SH	WS	HD	WP	DS	UK	Total	Remarks
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)	(h)	(i)	(j)	(k)
1.	Neutralized Terrorists	792	122	109	598	217	6	93	1,937
2.	Arrested Terrorists	606	513	203	325	448	447	240	2,782
3.	Rescued Hostages	476	305	210	523	217	48	75	1,854
4.	Weapons Recovered	531	105	51	314	149	48	109	1,304
5.	Ammunitions Recovered	15,530	10,214	2,800	9,327	11,966	672	1,838	43,347
6.	Equipment Recovered	361	79	61	307	110	265	95	1,278

 

On the whole, troops are keeping the pressure on the terrorist until they are totally defeated.

Meanwhile, a minute of silence was observed for officers and others that lost their lives in defending their father land.