TheCable

The defence headquarters (DHQ) says troops of the Nigerian army have in the last two weeks killed up to 36 suspected terrorists and bandits operating in the north-east, west and central parts of the country.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the soldiers also arrested 163 suspected criminals during operations across the regions.

Buba said the troops arrested 137 gunmen, three gunrunners, two kidnappers, six collaborators, 15 perpetrators of oil theft, two kidnappers and six others.

The defence spokesman said the troops also recovered the sum of N3.1 million, rescued 140 kidnapped hostages, and recovered 37 weapons and 370 ammunition.

He listed the arms recovered to include 16 AK47 rifles, six pump action guns, six dane guns, three fabricated rifles, two locally made pistols, 199 rounds of 7.62mm special, six rounds of 7.62mm NATO, nine AK47 magazines and two G3 magazines.

On oil theft, Buba said the forces destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one generator, two pumping machines and 36 illegal refining sites.

He added that 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres of automotive gas oil, 49,000 dual-purpose kerosene and five litres of premium motor spirit were also recovered during the operations.

“Also recovered were eight vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones and 925 machetes, and 151 machete sharpeners,” he said.

In the north-east, Buba said the troops of operation hadin kai killed nine terrorists and arrested 19 insurgents, six terrorist collaborators and couriers and rescued 12 hostages within the period.

He said a total of 313 suspected terrorists comprising 12 male adults, 138 female adults and 162 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operation.

In north-central, Buba said the troops of operations safe haven and whirl stroke conducted several operations in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba states, during which some criminal elements were eliminated and others apprehended.

He said the troops recovered two AK 47 rifles, three dane guns, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and a pair of military uniforms belonging to a dismissed soldier identified as Bashir Abbas, who is now at large.

In the north-west, the army spokesperson said the troops of operation hadarin daji rescued kidnapped hostages and arrested some terrorists in Jibia, Matazu and Funtua LGAs of Katsina.

He added that the soldiers also foiled attacks on farmers and conducted several air interdictions which led to the recovery of arms and ammunition in Maru and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara.

Buba said troops rescued 20 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle, four AK47 rifle magazines, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle and 80 livestock.