By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday said that no fewer than 743 terrorists surrendered to troops of operations Hadin Kai, in northeast theatre of operations, within two weeks.
Director Defence Media Operation, Major General Musa Danmadami, said this during the biweekly briefing on the operational activities of military and other security agencies across the federation.
He also noted that 64 terrorists were killed across all theatres, while 34 civilians were rescued.
General Danmadami further revealed that a total sum of eleven million, forty six thousand, ten naira was also recovered from terrorist logistics suppliers.
This is even as he said that troops of Operations Delta Safe, in conduct of operations Octopus Grip, uncovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region.
He said: “a total of 743 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 42 adult males, 251 adult females and 452 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operation.
Troops also, recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 1 G3
rifle, 6 dane guns, 1 FN rifle, 1 pistol, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 2 locally made grenades, 1 RPG tube, 1 pump action gun, 547 rounds of 7.62mm special, 75 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 46 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 10 empty cases of
12.7mm ammunition and 1 Improvised Explosive Device detonating fuse. Other items are 27 sacks of grinded corn, 10 bags of corn grains, 6 bags of beans, 5 bags of local rice, gallon of palm oil, 12 sleeping mats, clothings, 37 sachets of seasoning powder, 15 packs of spaghetti, 12 bar soaps, 3 vehicles, 8 chemical sprayer, 2 packs of maggi seasoning, 5 pairs
of Boko Haram Terrorist uniforms, 8 cartons of fish, 10 motorcycles, 49 bicycles, 14 arrows,
16 mobile phones, 12 sacks of substances suspected to be cannabis”.
The Director noted that to ensure relatively safe and peaceful environment for business activities to strife in Niger Delta region, troops conducted operational activities at the waterways, bush paths, creeks, cities, towns of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State.
During these operations,
troops of Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and other Operations discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 27 wooden boats, 158 storage
tanks, 149 ovens and 8 dugout pits.
He added that troops also recovered 122,600 litres of crude oil, 89,850
litrers of AGO, 7 vehicles, 18 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1 speedboat, 6 assorted
ammunition, 1 weapon and 1 tricycle.
General Danmadami equally revealed that troops arrested 16 suspected economic
saboteurs, and denied oil thieves products worth eighty two million four hundred and forty five thousand one hundred and fifty naira, within the period under review.
He concluded that all recovered items, arrested terrorists, suspected criminals and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while the surrendered Boko
Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families were
profiled and documented for further action.