The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday says troops deployed to various theatres of operations neutralised 481 terrorists and arrested 741 persons including terrorist in the month of October.
The military high command also said troops rescued 492 kidnapped hostages across the country during the period under review.
Director Defence Media Operations Maj-Gen Edward Buba who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, also released a fresh names of nine wanted terrorists’ leaders.
They are; Abu Khadijah, Abdurraman, Dadi Gumba (Abbu Muhammel) Usman Kanin Shehu and Abu Yusuf.
Others are Musa Wa,’a, Ibrahim Suyeka, Ba Sulhu and Idris Takleksa.
To this end, the defence spokesperson said the military has opened a surrendering corridor to terrorists’ commanders and combatants who are willing to surrender.
“Truly, the terrorist knows that they cannot match our military strength. The options open to them is to surrender or be killed in the battlefield.
“Accordingly, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender.
“We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose,” he said.
Speaking further he said troops recovered 480 weapons and 9,026 assorted ammunitions in October .
He said they also denied the oil thieves crude estimated to worth the sum of about N4bn (N3,896,400.960.00) only.
According to him, a breakdown arms and ammunition seized in the month of October includes the following: “263 AK47 rifles, 81 locally fabricated guns, 91 dane guns, 76 pump action guns, 5,683 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,944 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 642 cartridges, 160 assorted arms and 1,526 assorted ammunitions.
“Others are 3,226,645 litres of stolen crude oil, 763,860 litres of illegally refined AGO and 12,690 litres of PMS amongst other item.”
General Buba said the armed forces will not be deter by the death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS ), Lt.-Gen. Toareed Lagbaja but will rather be inspired by his exploits in battlefields.
“On the whole, even as the armed forces mourn the tragic passing away of the COAS, Lt.- Gen. TA Lagbaja. We will not allow his passing to derail our focus to destroy the terrorists.
“We are rather inspired by his actions on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorist in order to end the war.
“Accordingly, the military will continue work decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity in the nation and ensure the safety of citizens. The armed forces remains in a good and strong position in this war, and will win this war,” he said.
