Abuja: The Defence Headquarters has announced that 92 terrorists were neutralised, 111 suspected terrorists apprehended, and 75 kidnapped hostages rescued in the past week. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this during a press briefing on Thursday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Kangye stated that troops also recovered a total of 117 assorted weapons and 2,939 rounds of ammunition. The recovered weapons included 58 AK47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated guns, 26 dane guns, seven pump action guns, and four PKT guns. Additionally, the troops recovered two GPMGs, one QJC W85 gun, one HK 21 gun, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, two RPG tubes, and one fabricated 60mm mortar. They also recovered 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other eight assorted arms.
Kangye stated that troops also apprehended 18 individuals involved in oil theft and successfully foiled oil theft operations valued at approximately N521.8 million in the South-South region. Troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, and 1,920 litres of PMS. The troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums, and 47 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three tricycles, five motorcycles, two mobile phones, and six vehicles.
In the North East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded a total surrender of 101 terrorists. This included 11 adult males, 39 adult females, and 51 children who surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation during the week. The troops neutralised 25 terrorists, including a terrorist commander, Abba Alai (Amirul Khalid of Alafa), apprehended 14, and rescued seven kidnapped hostages.
Kangye emphasized that the gallant men and women of the armed forces will continue to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with their rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.