Troops eliminate over 60 terrorists, apprehend more than 50

According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have destroyed more than 60 terrorists and bandits in the North West and North Central regions of the nation during the past three weeks.

Major General Musa Danmadami, the director of defence media operations, said this on Thursday in Abuja.

Danmadami claimed that throughout several operations, the military also detained around 50 terrorists and agents of their organisation and freed 27 hostages.

He said that the soldiers of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West had continued their operational efforts by engaging in patrols, raids, and clearance operations in bandit strongholds inside the states of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kaduna.

He said that on December 3, while on battle patrols around Ungawan Babale and Rafin Sarki in Kaduna State's Giwa Local Government Area, five terrorists were neutralised while others fled.

The Defence spokesman said the troops also apprehended a suspected gun runner on the wanted list of troops at a filling station while refuelling his car at Ja’ama area of the state.

According to him, five AK47 rifles, 4,000 rounds of 7.6mm special ammo concealed in a sack, four magazines, a teargas canister as well as knives were recovered from him.

He added: “Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops recovered seven AK47 rifles, one baretta pistol, one locally made rifle, three locally made pistol and four locally made guns.

“Also recovered are 55 motorcycles, seven uncoupled motorcycles, 13 mobile phones and 820 rustled cattle, and the sum of N2.3 million.

“Troops equally neutralised 27 terrorists, arrested 36 suspected terrorists and rescued 35 abducted civilians.”

Danmadami said the air component of Operation Whirl Punch carried out an air strike at identified terrorist hideouts in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna state, killing scores of terrorists.

He said the feedback after the bombardment confirmed that seven terrorist kingpins on the wanted list were neutralised.

According to him, Jibrin Gurgu, Isah Jauro and Tambuwal from Zamfara as well as Noti, Bala, Yunusa and Burti, who were on the watch lists of security agents, were all neutralised with their foot soldiers.

In the North Central, Danmadami said the troops also sustained a crackdown on terrorists and other criminal elements.

He said the air component of Operation Safe Haven on December 3 conducted air interdiction operation in identified bandits' hideouts at Odare, Magama forests and Zurak general area of Kampani village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau.

According to him, seven motorcycles, each mounted by three bandit were seen trying to escape but were bombed.

He said feedback confirmed that the bandits suffered severe casualties as they were all confirmed to have been neutralised in the air strikes.