Nigerian Troops Neutralize Over 2,000 Terrorists in second quarter operations 

The Nigerian troops have neutralized 2,245 terrorists, arrested 3,682 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 1,993 kidnapped hostages during the second quarter of the year 2024. 

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba made this known in Abuja while briefing Journalists on the quarterly Review of the Joint Task Force and other military operations from April – June 2024, in different parts of the country.  

General Buba said that “troops recovered 2,783 weapons, 64,547 ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N10 billion (N10,533,131,470.00) only.” 

According to him, the breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 1,169 AK47 rifles, 36,273 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14,764 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 713 assorted arms, and 9,850 assorted ammo. 

Others are 9,225,149 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,874,916 litres of illegally refined AGO, 29,900 litres of DPK, and 31,380 litres of PMS. 

He added that troops’ operations are continually assessed to make adjustments in their actions, thereby amending their operations to ensure they minimize civilian casualties. 

He noted that the operations are progressing according to plan “even as we abide by international laws governing armed conflict.”  

The Director said that “the resolve of the Armed Forces is very clear and it is to destroy the terrorists and dismantle their military capabilities in order for citizens to be safe.”  

“Accordingly, troops are actively fighting in different forms and retain operational flexibility which gives them the ability to respond to different events and to project forces according to strategic needs.” 

Meanwhile, a minute of silence was observed for officers who lost their lives in defending their fatherland.