By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said that troops across all theatres of operations in the federation recovered over N20 billion from oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the creeks of Niger Delta, killed no fewer than 2,351 terrorists, nab 2,308 and rescued 1,241 kidnapped hostages in the first quarter of 2024.
The military High Command, also disclosed that the attacks and offensive by troops during the period between Jan and Mar 2024, also resulted in recovering of 2,847 weapons, and 58,492 ammunition.
Giving the breakdown of the recovery of the arms and ammunition, during the quarterly briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said: “Troop also recovered 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 noted that the foregoing demonstrates that ongoing operations are effective and result oriented.
He added that the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war.
Gen. Buba further disclosed that significant terrorist commanders were killed within the period under review.
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Those killed within the period, he said, include and 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”.
The above, the director said, was achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves.
“For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves. Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorist,” Gen Buba further disclosed.
He said, the armed forces is fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country, adding that the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorist and their cohorts.
According to him, “Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them. Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities”.
He assured that citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.
