Troops Kill 2,351 Terrorists, Arrest 2,308, Rescue 1,241 Hostages In 3 Months
..as troops also killed good number of terrorists commanders
By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that its troops has eliminated 2,351 terrorists, arrested 2,308 and rescued 1,241 kidnapped hostages in the fight against insecurity across the country in the first quarter(Q1) of 2024.
Director Defence Media Operations, (DDMO) Major General Edward Buba made this known while briefing journalist on the ongoing Military operations for Q1 of 2024.
According to him, “Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorist. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan _ Mar 2024 resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralize , 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued”.
He noted that troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.
The Breakdown for the period include and not limited to the following: 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.
Others are 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 litres of DPK and 52,730 litres of PMS amongst other item.
He said the foregoing demonstrates that ongoing operations are effective and result oriented, adding that the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war.
According to him, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces, stressing that the military has employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities.
He noted that quite a good number of terrorists commanders have been killed and they include and is not limited to the following: Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorists who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops in 21 Feb 24.
Others are : Kachallah Damina ( Neutralised in Mar 24, by troops. He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo,
Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others.
Major General Buba said the above was achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves, adding that upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.
