The Armed Forces of Nigeria says that a total of 533 Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) Terrorists and bandits were killed in the Northern parts of the country since the year began while several others suffered various degrees of gunshot wounds “with narrow chances of survival.”
The total figures include the 343 BHT/ISWAP terrorists killed from 18 March to 5 May 2020 in Nigeria’s Northeast region, the 153 bandits killed in the Northwest and Northcentral parts of the country. It also includes a total of 18 BHT/ISWAP leaders confirmed by “human and technical intelligences” to have been killed between January and March 2020, in addition to the total of 19 of BHT/ISWAP leaders killed between 18 March – 5 May 2020.
Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Major General John Enenche, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that “in addition to several others, including their key leaders, killed by Air bombardments, most of the Boko Haram’s logistics installations and networks have been destroyed.”
Enenche added that 16 of the terrorists’ informants and logistics suppliers were arrested.
Without supplying the figures, General Enenche confirmed that “some of our troops paid the supreme prize and others were wounded in action.”
He said that the update, which covers from 18 March to 05 May, is a joint effort of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies of our Country, adding that “these operations have considerably degraded the common enemies of Nigeria and reduced economic sabotage in our Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Full of commendations for the Nigerian military, the Defence Spokesperson stated that “within the period under review, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE put in a high professional effort with glaring success. Some villages that were under attack during the period were rescued by our gallant troops and normalcy returned to the affected areas. A number of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions were conducted, which revealed criminal hideouts and their activities. Consequently, a number of air interdictions were conducted, which led to the destruction of several BHT logistics facilities and compounds housing some of their leaders including Abu Usamah and a number of their fighters who were eliminated.”
On troops engagements under Operation HADARIN DAJI, he said that a total of 146 bandits were killed while a total of 17 kidnapped victims were rescued and united with the families in Katsina and Zamfara States.
Enenche added that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI recovered several arms and ammunition among other equipment. Our agile troops also rescued 922 Rustled Cattles and 446 sheep.
However, he confirmed that “four soldiers paid the supreme prize” during the operations.
Under Operation WHIRL PUNCH whose mandate is clamping down on armed militia and other bandits in Benue and Taraba States, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Spokesperson stated that a total of seven bandits were killed while seven kidnapped victims were rescued while “large caches of ammunition and other items” were recovered.
“From our operations within the period reviewed, it is obvious that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is winning the war against the enemies of our great country. Consequently, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain resolute and highly committed to end the insurgency in the country. It will sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled region of our beloved country. The general public is also assured of the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect the economic assets of Nigeria. The High Command of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public for their support and further solicit their cooperation towards providing credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive engagements in our operations, he stated.