By Olayemi Esan
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday revealed that a total of 13,243 terrorists and their families, comprising of 3,243 adult males, 3,868 adult females and 6,234 children have surrendered to Nigerian troops at different locations in the North East and North West of the country.
Acting Director, Media, at Defence Headquarters, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, made this known during a press briefing on the operational activities of the Armed Forces in the past 2 weeks in Abuja.
Onyeuko revealed that troops of the Armed Forces and other security agencies have continued to sustain the operational tempo in their land, maritime and air operations across various theatres of operation and these have reduced the operational capabilities of insurgents.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai have effectively sustained aggressive posture with vigour in the North East, which yielded significant results at Gwoza – Yamtake – Bita road; Gwoza – Farm Centre – Yamtake road; Mandara Mountain area as well as Pulka and Hambagda towns of Borno State.
"Cumulatively, within the period, a total of 29 terrorists were neutralized and 13 terrorists including their informants, collaborators and logistics suppliers were arrested in the course of the operations.
“Additionally, a total of 38 assorted weapons and 968 rounds of assorted ammunition as well as 48 rustled livestock among several other items were recovered", he said.
He added that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out air interdiction missions to frustrate Boko Haram and ISWAP criminal elements’ attack on ground troops’ location at Aulari village in Bama LGA of Borno State.
He said about three gun trucks were destroyed together with their occupant, and another was immobilized, while several other terrorists flee in disarray with varying degrees of wounds in the process.
Onyeuko also noted that the operational efforts of the military and other security agencies have considerably reduced the spate of criminal activities across the theatres.
"However, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies will not relent nor rest on its oars in the fight against criminalities in all parts of the country,” the Defence Spokesperson vowed.
The military high Command therefore commended the continued sacrifices of the troops and saluted their courage and resilience towards achieving sustainable peace nationwide.