By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that troops eliminated 715 terrorists, rescued 465 kidnapped victims, and recovered 937 assorted weapons in ground and air operations across the country in April 2024.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operation, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the operations of the Armed Forces in Abuja on Thursday, he said, The troops arrested 1,146 suspects during ambushes, raids, fighting patrols, and other covert operations in April.
Buba added several enclaves of notable terrorist leaders and commanders, including Nasanda, Babaru, Kamilu Buzaru, Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari across North-West were bombarded and destroyed.
He listed other terrorist leaders and commanders engaged by air strikes to include Mallam Yadee in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State and Bello Turji’s camp in Kagara forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto State.
“All the surviving terrorist commanders and leaders are walking corpses as we would get them, sooner than later,” the defence spokesman added.
Buba said the synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces during the period under review resulted in the killing of 715 terrorists.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions, and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N2 billion,” he disclosed.
In North-East, the defence spokesperson said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted operations into Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle, and the Tumbus around the Lake Chad Region within the month.
Buba said the operations led to the elimination of 248 terrorists, arrest of 422, and rescue of 163 kidnapped hostages, while 714 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to the troops.
In the North Central, Buba said operations conducted by troops of Operation Safe Haven in several hotspots neutralised 32 terrorists and arrested 148 while 35 kidnapped hostages were rescued.
Responding to questions, Buba said there has been linkage between illegal mining and acts of terrorism in the North-West, as well as foreign involvement in illegal mining.
He said the troops neutralised no fewer than 297 terrorist, apprehended 141 suspects and rescued 143 kidnap hostages within the period, in addition to the recovery of 182 AK47 rifles, 57 fabricated guns, 71 assorted arms, 4,192 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,341 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 556 assorted ammunition.
In South-South, he said the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised nine violent extremists, arrested 164 persons involved in crude oil theft, and recovered 2,563,335 litres of crude oil, 254,620 litres of diesel, 1,050 litres of kerosene, and 8,000 litres of petrol.
Buba added that troops also recovered 56 assorted weapons and destroyed 74 wooden boats, 1,501 assorted ammunition, and 76 illegal refining sites during the month.
The defence spokesman disclosed that in South-East, the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 38 terrorist, arrested 103 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped victims.