The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said troops deployed for operations across the country have killed 814 terrorists and arrested 1,326 others in the past three months.
The military high command also said troops recovered 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude, 3,577 livestock, 501 weapons, 3,600 ammunition and rescued 721 kidnap victims within the period under review.
Director Defence Media Operations Major-General Edward Buba stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Buba said: “The counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations of the armed forces across the country in the last 3 months demonstrates the will of the armed forces to defeat terrorist and other violent extremist groups including those who support and finance them.
“During the period under review, offensive operations and air strikes were conducted to hit these groups and the terrorists where it hurts them most.
“It is clear from our operations that the terrorists and their cohorts have sustained a significant number of casualties. It is certain that they will continue to sustain even more casualties, as we move forward. The illusion by these groups to embark on terrorism or insurgency is laughable.”
Buba also said troops killed 80 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters in South-east Nigeria, arrested 42 kidnappers while a total of 4, 560 terrorists and members of their families surrendered to troops at different locations in the Northeast.
Giving the breakdown, the Defence spokesperson said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-east killed 240 terrorists, arrested 276 collaborators and rescued 249 kidnap victims.
He said the troops also recovered 169 different calibers of weapons and 1,196 ammunition from terrorists and their collaborators from the region.
The Defence spokesperson also said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl stroke in the North-west and North-central killed 331 terrorists, arrested 105 terrorists and other 220 criminal elements.
“In the course of the operation, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 248 terrorists, arrested 116 suspected terrorists and rescued 359 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered a total of 67 assorted weapons, 926 assorted ammunition and 160 other criminal items. Breakdown as follows: 31 AK47 rifles, 10 dane guns, 2 GPMG, one FN rifle, one beretta pistol, one pump action gun, 2 PKT gun, one fabricated AK47 rifle.
“In addition, troops recovered 743 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 30 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammo, 12 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammo, 8 rounds of 9mm ammo, 9 rounds of PKT, 188 motorcycles, 42 mobile phones and 1,697 rustled livestock.
“On troops operations in the North Central zone, Buba said troops killed 94 terrorists, arrested 477 others, rescued 76 kidnap victims and recovered 76 arms and ammunition and 1,722 livestock,” he said.
Buba said troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in the North Central also neutralised 94 terrorists, arrested 477 suspects and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 82 assorted weapons and 760 assorted ammunitions. Breakdown as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 5 revolvers, 27 fabricated rifles, 6 fabricated pistols, 13 dane guns, 5 pistols, 2 pump actions, 6 Ak47 magazines, 523 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 190 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 31 rounds 9mm ammo, 18 cartridges and 1,722 livestock.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 104 suspects and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages.
“Also, troops recovered 37 weapons, 68 assorted ammunitions and 127 items. Breakdown as follows: 2 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 5 locally fabricated pistols, 2 dane guns, one pistols, 15 AK47 magazines, 2 G3 magazines, 2 FN magazines, one GPMG barrel, one Ak47 barrels, 3 rifle butts and one locally fabricated bullet.
“In addition, troops recovered 4 woodland camouflage, 15 motorcycles, 9 mobile phones, 6 vehicles, 5 cutlasses, 2 pairs of black boots, one fragmental jackets, one generator set, 3 knives, 2 machetes and one saw and metal,” the DHQ said.
On troops’ operations against oil thieves and bunkers in the South-South, the Defence spokesperson said troops killed 69 criminals and arrested 191 others.
He also said troops recovered 6,652,250 liters of stolen crude oil and other petroleum products worth over N4 billion.
Buba noted that the military would continue to apply strong pressure on criminal groups undermining the national security of the country.
“It is clear that the terrorists and their cohorts cannot win in the face of ongoing military pressure against them.
“Accordingly, the terrorists and their cohorts are encouraged to drop their arms and rejoin society to provide a better life for themselves and their children. They risk annihilation if they fail to do so,” he said.
