. Troops killed 481 terrorists, arrested 741 others in October
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorists’ group known as ‘Lukarawas’, in Northwest.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, made the confirmation at a briefing yesterday in Abuja.
He said the new terror group emerged from Niger Republic after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.
Buba explained that the terrorists began incursion into the northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states from neighbouring Niger Republic and Mali.
He said before the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces, which kept the terrorists at bay.
“The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries, and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” he said.
However, Nigerian troops on the frontlines neutralised 481 terrorists and arrested 741 others in October alone.The military also rescued 492 kidnapped hostages, while recovering 480 weapons and 9,026 assorted ammunitions during the period.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure at a briefing in Abuja, noted that troops have done a tremendous job of significantly dismantling terror groups in various theatres of operations across the federation.
He said their strategy remains to undermine the ability of terror groups and their cohorts.
According to him, troops conducted simultaneous strikes on several terrorist enclaves and hideouts across the country.
He said the Air Force carried out bombardments and air interdictions on terrorist hideouts and enclaves with precision, thereby diminishing the fighting capabilities of the hoodlums.
His words: “Truly, the terrorists know that they cannot match our military strength. The option open to them is to surrender or be killed in the battlefield.
“Accordingly, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender. We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose.
“It is noteworthy, to state that, in October 2024, troops neutralised 481 terrorists. Other details are that, troops arrested 741 persons, including terrorists. Troops also rescued 492 kidnapped hostages.”
