Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday said a total of 325 Boko Haram/ISlamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and bandits were killed and 2,783 terrorists and their families surrendered to the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the ongoing operations in Northern Nigeria.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, told journalists during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja that out of the 325 killed, 85 were Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists while 240 were bandits in Northwest and Northcentral regions of the country.
At the same time, 90 bandits together with their collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested in region the course of various operations in Northwest and Northcentral parts of the country.
General Onyeuko said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained the operational tempo in land and air offensives against terrorists, leaving dozens of ISWAP/BHT terrorists and their collaborators neutralized in coordinated air strikes at Daban Masara, north of Lake Chad in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, from where the criminal elements launch attacks on own troops’ locations and innocent civilians in the area.
The spokesperson also disclosed that troops intensified offensive operations on bandits’ enclaves at Mazga – Kamuya, Damboa Wass – Bitta – Balo – Gwoza and Damboa – Bulabulin – Maiduguri roads as well as at Bazza, Jigaiambu and Michika towns, in Borno State. Other locations are; Mairari, Rumirgo and Fuye villages; Gashua market, Takaskala axis, Damaturu – Maiduguri main supply routes, Mafa town as well as along Gulumba Gana – Dikwa road, all in Borno State.
“121 assorted weapons including SMG, HK21 guns, AK-47 and locally-made rifles with magazines, 3,372 rounds of 7.62mm NATO/Special ammunition, locally made pistols and smooth body grenades, RPG-7 bombs as well as 12,250 bags of fertilizers and 178 rustled livestock among several other items were recovered”, he said.
Onyeuko also pointed out that, troops of operation Hadarin Daji frustrated bandits operations in North West Zone denying them freedom of action as well as frustrated movement of arms, ammunition and other illegal items, at the same time built confidence among locals.
Troops’ swift responses with superior firepower in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States led to the repelling of armed bandits who were forced to flee in disarray, neutralization of scores of them and arrest of some others, including their informants and collaborators.
He added that, troops of operation Hadarin Daji recover Arms and ammunition, neutralized and arrested armed bandits and their arms supplier and informant at Kofar Fada village in Kankara LGA, Shabba village under Jibia LGA, Kaiga general area as well as Ummandau and Gammu villages, all in Katsina State.
He noted that a total of 240 armed bandits were neutralized, 125 assorted arms including AK-47 and FN riffles and Dane guns as well as 1,166 rounds of 7.62mm special/NATO ammunition, 1,304 livestock and 54 motorcycles among other items were recovered within the period. Also, 47 armed bandits, informants and bandits’ collaborators were arrested within the period.
Onyeuko explained that the Air Component conducted air bombardments on criminal enclaves between 22 and 26 September 2021 in different locations including Magami and Dansadau forests in Zamfara State, killing bandits’ from where they launched attacks own troops’ locations and innocent civilians.
“The air operations yielded attendant successes at Danmusa, Safana and Dutsinma LGAs as well as Gonar, Sani, Jikan and Malam villages at the Yantumaki forest, Lelet village forest and Yantumaki – Maidabino road in Katsina State, he said.
The military high command therefore salutes the courage, resilience and commitment of troops towards achieving sustainable peace in the country.