TheCable

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops in different theatres in the country have arrested 304 suspected terrorists and 152 suspected oil thieves in one week. 

 Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during a press conference, Edward Buba, DHQ’s media operations director, said about 80 terrorists were killed in various operations during the period.

Buba said the operations also led to the rescue of 44 kidnapped persons and recovery of 112 assorted weapons and 898 assorted ammunition within the week.

Breaking the figures down per zone, Buba said Operation Hadin Kai troops in the northeast killed 31 terrorists, arrested 16 and rescued five hostages.

He added that two GPMGs, nine AK47 rifles, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo among other items were recovered by the troops. 

Buba said 121 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families —comprising of five adult males, 41 adult females and 75 children— surrendered to the troops between November 29 and December 5.

In the north-central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, killed 10 suspected terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued 36 abducted persons.

The troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch in the north-west killed 15 terrorists, arrested 35 and rescued 13 kidnapped persons as well as recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.

The DHQ spokesperson said the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji, on December 3, bombed the enclave of Audu Lankai, a terrorist kingpin, in Jibia LGA of Katsina state.

In the south-south zone, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed eight dugout pits, 11 boats, 46 storage tanks, seven vehicles, 84 cooking ovens, 356 drums, one outboard engine, one pumping machine and 48 illegal refining sites.

He said the troops also recovered 81,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 239,500 litres of illegally refined  aviation gasoline oil (AGO), 5,000 litres of dual purpose kerosene (DPK) and 10,500 litres of petrol.

“Troops also apprehended 140 suspected oil thieves and other criminal elements as well as recovered 35 assorted ammunition, seven assorted weapons and two cutlasses amongst others,” NAN quoted Buba as saying.

In the south-east, Buba said the troops of Operation Udo Ka killed two suspected criminals, arrested 78 suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and rescued five hostages during the period.

He added that troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, six pump action guns, two locally made pistols, one Dane gun, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, four rounds of 9mm ammo, 25 live cartridges, one vehicle and five mobile phones, among other items.