… Says scores of terrorists, top commanders killed in 3 weeks
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to tackling current security challenges bedeviling the country.
The director, defence media operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, who gave the assurance while briefing journalists on the update of combined operational efforts of the land, maritime and air components between 1 and 20 May 2021, said troops had intensified efforts in various theatres to neutralise all threats to the nation’s security.
Onyeuko said the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs had in the last few months conducted several operational visits to various theatres of operation, interacted with commanders, troops and other stakeholders.
He maintained that the various engagements were aimed at ensuring the military high command develop improved ways and means of tackling the myriad of security challenges across the country in partnership with stakeholders.
“The military have remained resolute in their operations and engaged in a series of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in all theatres of major and subsidiary operations.
“We have also worked cooperatively and in great synergy with other security and intelligence agencies to gain several successful and credible outcomes in our operations,” he said.
Speaking further, he said constant clearance patrols, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments by troops have led to the death of several terrorists including senior commanders of Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), Eastern security network (ESN) as well as top leaders of bandits.
“Moreover, the Air Component conducted comprehensive air operations, which included air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support for ground troops.
“As a result of these operations, our troops neutralized scores of terrorists and bandits including senior BHT/ISWAP and ESN commanders as well as major bandit leaders. Similarly, many of their fighters were incapacitated and their camps destroyed through artillery and air bombardments,” he said.
