The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said no fewer than 139 suspected terrorists were killed during troops’ operations in the northern part of the country, while 111 were arrested between February 10 and 24.
It listed the leader of Rijal Amn Special Forces, Mohammed Yusuf; and a bandit leader, Dogo Umaru, among those killed during the period.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed the figures in Abuja at a press conference on the activities of the Armed Forces.
He also said troops rescued 42 kidnapped victims during the period.
Onyeuko said, “The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out air interdiction at Bukar Mairam village in Marte Local Government Area, in the process, Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of Rijal Amn Special Forces, was neutralised.
“The troops, within the last two weeks, neutralised 63 fighters, arrested 86 members of the terrorists group, recovered four gun trucks, 25 AK47 rifles, 56 magazines with 6.2mm special ammunition, 78 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, 67 packets of rounds on links, three FN grenades and three bandoliers.
“In a related development, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air strikes on Boko Haram enclaves at Magama Village, Tsaunin Babare Village and Tsamben Babare Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State where a notorious bandit leader, one Dogo Umaru, and scores of his foot soldiers were neutralised.
“Cumulatively, these operations resulted in the recovery of 10 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 6.2mm ammunition, 20 motorcycles, 40 herds of rustled cows and 50 rams.
“Troops also rescued 10 kidnapped civilians, arrested 10 bandits and neutralised 10 bandits. All arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities.”
Onyeuko also disclosed that 466 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered during the period under review.
The surrendered terrorists, he said, comprised of 120 adult males, 137 adult females and 209 children.
He also said troops also recovered 1,118,175 litres of AGO and 2,086,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Onyeuko added that the troops discovered and recovered 38 refining sites with 100 metal storage tanks, 25 dugout pits, 75 cooking ovens, 20 boats, 35 Yamaha pumping machine, 15 coolants as well as 10 tankers.
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