The Nigerian troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised thirty terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition amongst other items recovered in North East Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this during the Bi-Weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital saying that the briefing covered the period of 23rd of March to 6th of April, 2023.
General Danmadami said that “equally, troops on patrol arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist logistics supplier in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State who concealed the sum of Two Million Naira, One Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira (N2,169,700.00) only inside a bag of grinded corn”.
According to him, troops conducted offensive operations to villages in Bama, Askira Uba and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
During these operations, troops made contact with terrorists and following the fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists while others fled.
He noted that troops recovered 1 NSTV gun, 1 NSTV barrel, 1 QJC barrel gun, 14 dane guns, 1 pump action gun, 1 x 36 hand grenade, 27 cartridges, 81 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, Improvised Explosive Device wires, 7 motorcycles, 8 bicycles, 2 baofeng radios, 2 solar panel and 2 grinding machines among other items. Also, on 24 March 23, troops responded to intelligence about terrorist activities around Maisamari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to him, troops mobilised to the area and made contact with the terrorists.
“During the encounter, troops neutralised 2 terrorists and recovered 2 PKT MG, 188 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunitions, 1 hand grenade, 4 Ak47 magazines, pouches, baoFeng radio, assorted drugs and other sundry items,” he stated.
Furthermore, on 25 March 2023, troops had a meeting engagement with terrorists close to their location in Kawuri in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
During the encounter, troops neutralised 2 terrorists while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Mechanical tool
Following the incident troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 1 NSVT AA gun, 1 Gun Truck, 140 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 vulcanising machine, 3 shovels, 1 mechanic tool box and other sundry items.
On 27th of March 2023, troops intercepted a vehicle conveying passengers and food items along Monguno – Cross Kauwa road within Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State while trying to exit Monguno town and it was revealed that the food items were meant for terrorists.
Six of the passengers were identified as terrorist logistics couriers and arrested. Items recovered include 2 cartons of spaghetti, 1 bag of garri and a bag of groundnut among other sundry items. Troops also recovered the sum of Sixty Nine Thousand One Hundred And Sixty Naira (N69,160.00) from the suspects.
On the same day, “troops arrested a suspected terrorist informant at Cross Kauwa in Kakuwa Local Government Area of Borno State adding that troops while on fighting patrol rescued 2 kidnapped civilians who were earlier abducted by Boko Haram terrorists at Kubrumbula village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State,” he said.
Special ammunition
Also on 30 March 2023, troops responded to information that terrorists were imposing taxes on Kulumukuwa village in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State and made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 1 terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 9 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition among other items.
Consequently, within the week in focus, troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 2 NSVT guns, 1 NSVT gun barrel, 1 QJC barrel, 3 RPG bombs, 1 Anti-Riot gun, 3 pump action guns, 2 hand grenades, 3 PKT MG, 3 Gun Trucks, 188 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 142 rounds of 12.7x108mm ammunitions, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 27 cartridges, 18 dane guns, 17 AK47 magazines and Improvised Explosive Device wires.
Other items recovered include 2 grinding machines, 1 vulcanising machine, 1 mechanic tool box, tyre rims, 3 pairs of Boko Haram Uniforms, shovel, bags of assorted food stuff, cartons of spaghetti, medical supplier, solar panels, 12 motorcycles, 13 bicycles, mobile phones, baofeng radio, pouches, 1 vehicle and sum of Two Million, Three Hundred and Five Thousand One Hundred and Fifteen Naira (N2,321,015.00) only.
General Danmadami said that “troops equally neutralized 21 terrorists, captured 9 suspected Terrorists, arrested 11 suspected terrorists logistic suppliers/collaborators, apprehended 2 terrorists and rescued 54 terrorist escapees while a total of 974 terrorists comprising 77 adult males, 364 adult females and 533 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the joint areas of operation”.
Relevant authority
He noted that all recovered items, apprehended suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Equally, the rescued terrorists escapees and members of their families were profiled and given medical attention, while the surrendered terrorists and members of their families are also profiled for further action.
In a related development, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorist’s enclaves and logistics in order to degrade and curb the spate of insecurity within the theatre of operations.
Notably, several air interdiction operations were conducted at identified terrorists’ enclaves, camps, hideouts and forests within the joint area of operations. In these operations, terrorists were seen taking covers and hiding under structures.
Severed casualities
Consequently, the locations were bombarded and feedback revealed that several terrorists suffered severed casualties while their structures and logistics were equally destroyed in the air strikes.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has commended the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country.
Also, the entire populace is hereby appreciated, for the support given to the members Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of their various operations across the country, while also urging them to continue to provide prompt and credible information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.
Lateefah Ibrahim
