The Nigerian military in the second quarter of 2024 rescued 1,993 kidnapped hostages, neutralized 2,245 terrorists, arrested 3,682 suspected terrorists, recovered 2,783 weapons, with 64,547 assorted ammunitions and denied thof e oil theives of an estimated sum over 10 bn (N10,533,131,470.00).
This significant achievements of the Nigerian military in their anti-terrorism operations, showcasing their success in rescuing hostages, neutralizing terrorists, arresting suspects, recovering weapons, and disrupting illegal oil activities.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday during the bi-weekly media briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. General Edward Buba said the armed Forces of Nigeria's resolve is very clear and, it is to destroy the terrorist and dismantle their military capabilities. This is in order that we can create a safer environment for citizens of this country.
He noted that troops of Operation HADIN KAI during the second quarter of the year, neutralized 857 terrorist. The troops arrested 913 suspects and rescued 594 kidnapped hostages. He added that troops recorded a total of 4,582 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families.
He said troops dismantled the terrorist military capabilities by recovering 559 AK47 rifles, 151 fabricated rifles, 181 dane guns, 157 assorted arms and 13,493 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, among other items.
The air component of Operation HADIN KAI in the second quarter of the year conducted air interdictions to terrorists enclaves. Triangle, Tumbuns and several other locations in the North East.
At Operation SAFE HAVEN, several terrorist enclaves and hideouts were destroyed killing terrorist leaders, commanders and foot soldiers as well as destroying their logistics dumps.
General Buba noted revealed that the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 130 terrorist violent extremist, arrested 544 suspects and rescued 277 kidnap hostages. Troops equally recovered 39 AK47 rifles, 126 assorted arms, and 827 rounds of 7.62mm NATO among others.
He said Farmers/herders clashes between herder militias and indigenes, kidnapping for ransom by suspected herder militia, gunrunning activities by suspected indigenes of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States.
However, troops onslaught largely degraded the potency of bandit groups, even though they remain present in the area.
Furthermore, troops anticipate communal clashes occasioned by the rainy season. It has become common place for the rainy season to be associated with communal clashes and farmers/herders conflicts which is as a result of increase encroachment on farmlands. Based on the foregoing, troops while collaborating with other security services have emplaced measures to minimize resurgence of communal clashes.
Additionally, troops will continue to optimize operations against terrorist and their cohorts. Already, operations conducted to strongholds of violent extremists recorded significant achievements.
During the second quarter of the year. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 138 terrorist, arrested 377 suspects and rescued 204 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 63 AK47 rifles, 110 assorted arms, 3,563 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.
troops of Op HADARIN DAJI neutralized 764 terrorist, arrested 673 suspects and rescued 592 kidnap hostages. Troops also recovered 420 AK47 rifles, 174 assorted arms, among others.
Air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted air interdiction to terrorists enclaves/camps in Kankara, Zurmi, Danmusa, Maradun and Gusau as well as other areas within Katsina and Zamfara States. Several terrorist leaders and commanders were wiped off the battlefield via air interdictions conducted.
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH intensified effort against terrorist and violent extremist in the conduct of operations.
The terrorist were denied freedom of action with their combat capabilities diminished. Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following in the second quarter of the year.
Troops neutralized 170 terrorist, arrested 366 suspects and rescued 178 kidnap hostages. Troops equally recovered 60 AK47 rifles, 88 assorted arms, 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.
The air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air strikes on terrorists enclave at Mariga, Alawa Forest, Kwaki forest, Chikun, Kuduru, Giwa and several other areas in which terrorist hibernate in Niger and Kaduna States.
This is because as our forces advance and clear areas in which these terrorist are hibernating, we continue to recover weapons, explosives IEDs and military related quipment. These are indicative of the priorities of the terrorist.
The good news is that, we will continue to wipe out the terrorist hrough synchronised ground and air operations.
As we do that, we shall recover these arms and ammunitions and dismantle their military capabilities.