The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday said that its troops killed 52 bandits while “several high-profile terrorists’ and bandits’ leaders have surrendered,” under operational theatres across the three regions of the North – Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral regions.
Also in the last one week, the military said it has captured a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment as well as rescued 33 captives of the terrorists.
Coordinator of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General John Enenche told journalists in Abuja that the Armed Forces of Nigeria carried out “aggressive clearance operation at various locations within the (Operation LAFIYA DOLE) theatre” against the Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) terrorists.
Part of the operations include conducting “a daring counter-attack on Boko Haram terrorists who attempted to infiltrate Monguno town on 12 June 2020. The counter attack by own troops at Monguno resulted in the neutralization of 41 terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment, as well as the rescue of 33 captives, amongst others.”
In the Northwest region, the Defence Spokesperson said that the Land and Air components of the three Operations – HADARIN DAJI, KATSINA and ACCORD attacked “the three camps operated by one “Adamu Aleiro” in a forest along Katsina – Zamfara boundary area. Scores of bandits were killed during that encounter, with several others injured. In the process, troops also apprehended three suspected bandits, including one Ibrahim Isa clad in military camouflage while six kidnapped victims were rescued, amongst other recoveries.
He noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria also carried out several Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities including the drilling and completion of seven boreholes at Mazoji, Kururubai and Gabasawa B communities in Daura LGA, Tudun Matawalle, Rahamawa and Tudun-Dole and Natsinta communities of Katsina LGA.
General Enenche added that presently, two additional boreholes are being drilled in Dangeza and Dunya villages in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State while plans are also underway to construct a Medical Dispensary in Mazoji community in Daura LGA, as well as renovate schools in the vicinity.
In the Niger Delta region, Enenche stated that in the las tone week, “a total of 5 illegal refineries, 14 surface metal storage tanks, 9 coolers, 9 cooking ovens were confiscated and the site has been earmarked for swamp buggy operations. While about 2,640.5 barrels of stolen crude oil, 80,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 43,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit were seized.
“Troops also neutralized 4 militants and recovered arms and ammunition during clearance operations on pirates/militants’ camps at Ibokiri and New Jerusalem in Degema LGA of Rivers State.”