TheCable

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops killed 974 terrorists, apprehended 621, and rescued 466 hostages in February 2024.

Giving an update on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja, Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, said the terrorists were eliminated in different operations across the country.

The director said in the north-east, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 242 terrorists, arrested 57 suspected terrorists, and rescued 42 hostages during the period.

He said 1,157 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their families surrendered to troops during the month.

He added that the troops recovered 198 AK47 rifles, 61 fabricated, 30 Dane guns, 45 assorted arms, 3,692 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,854 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 339 rounds of ammunition during the period.

Buba said in the north-central, troops of Operation Safe Haven eliminated 31 terrorists, apprehended 187 suspects and rescued 19 hostages as well as cache of arms.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke eliminated 100 terrorists, apprehended 67 suspects and rescued 53 hostages during the month.

He said in the north-west, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 345 terrorists, apprehended 80 suspects and rescued 289 hostages during the period under review.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 150 terrorists, apprehended 161 suspects, rescued 44 hostages and recovered large cache of arms and ammunition.

Buba said in the south-south, troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 359 suspected oil thieves, impounded 8.9 million litres of crude oil, 1.06 million litres of AGO, 18,950 litres of DPK and 45,940 litres of PMS.

He added that the troops also recovered 79 assorted weapons and destroyed 316 wooden boats, 3,859 rounds of ammunition and 246 illegal refining sites within the month.

He said in the the south-east, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 106 terrorists, apprehended 69 suspects and rescued 19 hostages.

The director said in total, troops recovered 1,573 assorted weapons, 23,345 assorted arms and ammunition within the month.