The Defence Headquarters says the synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces in the month of April resulted in over 715 terrorist neutralized and during the process troops arrested 146 persons and rescued 465 kidnapped hostages.
Director, Defence Media Operation, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this at biweekly media briefing on troops operational activities in the six geopolitical zones in the country.
General Buba said, troops conducted offensive operations accordingly in April ranging from ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and other covert operations and that the defeat of these terrorist group is non- negotiable as it would deny terrorist the ability to terrorize or hurt citizens of this country.
He stressed that whenever aeriel assets confirm terrorist presence and the movement - of the terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers. The targets are acquired and fighter jets scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclave or activity.
He noted that several terrorist leaders enclaves engaged during the month of April including that of terrorist commander Nasanda and his loyalist in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State.
"Another was, on 13 April 2024, during the airstrikes, 3 Senior terrorist commanders (Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari) were neutralized at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad.
"Additionally, on 15 April 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State was destroyed. While, on 19 Apr 24, the terrorist hideout belonging to a senior terrorist commander Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated.
"Similarly, On 20 April 2024, a gathering of senior terrorist commanders Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was disrupted by air strikes. Battle Damage Assessment of all these strikes revealed that several terrorist combatants and their Commanders were neutralized.
"Other terrorist leaders and commanders engaged by our air strikes include that of Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State. Then, the Enclaves belonging to terrorist commander Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State were equally engaged during the month."
General Buba added that the Enclave of Mallam Umar and several other commanders. located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State were engaged. Others include Bello Turji's Camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto.
He pointed out that all the surviving terrorist Commanders that escaped these attacks are nothing but walking corpses. It is question of sooner than later before they will be elimated from the battlefield.
General Buba further revealed that in the month of April troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #2 bn (N2,572,397,190.00) only.
"Breakdown for the month of April includes and is not limited to the following: 495 AK47 rifles, 190 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 151 dane guns, 11,549 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,722 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 511 rounds of 9mm and 941 live cartridges.
"Others are 2,563,335 litres of stolen crude oil, 254,620 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS amongst other item. " he added
The Defence Media Operation Director emphasized that tactically, whenever there is a clash between troops and terrorist on the ground. Troops clearing win in the fire fight, though sadly in certain operations casualties are sustained.
He opined, the armed forces is building on these to maintain the momentum against the terrorist and their cohorts across the country. "We are conscious that the stakes are high, and are not loosing sight of importance of momentum, when it comes to fighting such vicious adversaries.
"The current situation depicts a strain of tactical achievements in degrading the terrorist by dismantling most of the terrorist infrastructure in the North East killing majority of the combatants,as well as killing a lot of their senior combatants.
"It must be noted that, many of the terrorist commanders have been taken off the battlefield. Our operations have suppressed the terrorist and prevented them from achieving their strategic objectives.
"Likewise, we have denied the terrorist freedom of action and disrupted their actives, thereby reducing their effectiveness in many areas. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to rid the environment of terrorist and the military is not resting on its oars." he stressed