The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its troops have killed 83 terrorists, bandits, criminals and kidnappers in the last two weeks as part of the military operations to rid the nation of undesirable elements across the country.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Benard Onyeuko, told journalists on Thursday that 62 of those “neutralised” were terrorists killed in combat in the Northeast region, 14 were bandits killed in the Northwest region while five were criminals killed in the Northcentral zone.
The remaining two were, Onyeuko disclosed were kidnappers who engaged soldiers in gun duel in the South South.
Other highlights of military operations between 25th November and 9th December, 2021 according to Dfence Headquarters were: arrest of 28 terrorists “while 54 assorted arms and 144 rounds of different calibre of ammunitions were recovered.
“Also, a total of 101 rustled livestock were recovered and 20 kidnapped NPF personnel, who were abducted when the terrorists attacked the Police Division, were rescued by own troops at Buni Yadi within the period.
“Additionally, troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic operations have continued to drive the terrorists out of their camps into surrendering. A total of 192 terrorists and their families comprising 51 adult males, 67 adult females and 74 children surrounded to own troops within the period.
“The surrendered terrorists were properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions”, while in the northwest, “14 armed bandits were neutralized, 4 of them were arrested and their collaborators.
“Also, 17 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 625 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 43 rustled livestock were recovered; while 8 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations. Additionally, 54 extra magazines of assorted arms and 20 motorcycles were recovered from bandits”, General Onyeuko added.
A major highlight of the success of the military operations within the two weeks was the rescue of 20 policemen kidnapped by terrorists.