5,890 terrorists surrendered in past three weeks, says military

Defence Media Operations (DMO) has disclosed that in the past few weeks, a total of 5,890 terrorists, comprising foot soldiers, field commanders and their families, have surrendered to counter-insurgency troops in the North East.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, who made the disclosure, yesterday, also said another 565 Boko Haram terrorists, comprising three Commanders, four Amirs, five Nakibs and five cattle rustling specialists (out of the surrendered terrorists and their family members), were handed over to the Borno State government in Maiduguri for further action after discreet profiling.

Onyeuko, who briefed newsmen at Defence Headquarters on developments in military operations conducted between August 12 to September 2, across the country, said soldiers killed 48 terrorists in the period under review, arrested 20 others and destroyed their logistic base and facilities including three gun trucks.

He said other weapons recovered during the operations include 52 assorted arms, 1,977 rounds of 7.62mm assorted calibre ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles with magazines, hand grenades, commando mortar guns, locally fabricated rifles, DShk anti-aircraft guns, Dane guns and Nigerian Police rifles.

He said seven terrorists’ informants and logistics suppliers were arrested and handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies, while soldiers with support from the air component foiled attacks in Borno State.

The DMO spokesman, who observed that military operations conducted across the country have continued to yield tremendous successes, said 15 armed bandits and two armed robbers were killed by soldiers during anti-banditry operations, 13 informants were arrested, while 15 motorcycles and two AK 47 rifles were recovered. He also said 33 kidnap victims were rescued, 66 criminals were arrested and some vandalised railway sleepers/tracks were recovered within the period.

MEANWHILE, troops of 25 Brigade, operating under the aegis of Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), reportedly neutralised four terrorists of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Wednesday, August 31, 2021.

The terrorists, who were allegedly on espionage along the Damboa-Bulabulin- Maiduguri Road, ran into a fighting patrol team at Kukawa and were neutralised in the firefight that ensued.

Army spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said: “On further exploitation after the encounter, the gallant troops recovered from the terrorists, four AK-47 rifles and four magazines, each loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

“In a separate operation, troops of 195 Battalion, Sector 1 OPHK, in conjunction with elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), at Dusman-Muna Garage, Borno State eliminated two ISWAP terrorists in an ambush operation conducted along an identified ISWAP terrorists’ crossing point at Musari village. The troops also captured and destroyed an ISWAP logistics vehicle conveying assorted goods and contraband items belonging to members of the terrorist group.”