TheCable

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says 73 Boko Haram members were killed within two weeks in the north-east.

Bernard Onyeuko, acting director of the defence media operation, on Thursday, said the operation was carried out by troops of operation Hadin Kai.

Onyeuko said the troops also recovered a large cache of arms and equipment from the insurgents in different encounters during the period.

He added that the troops had, on June 27, received a total of 55 escapees from the insurgents’ camps “comprising 15 adult males, 12 adult females and 27 children who surrendered to them at Darajemel in Borno”.

He said 44 AK-47 rifles, two PKT, seven anti-aircraft guns, seven gun trucks, ammunition, as well as weapon cleaning materials, were recovered.

Other items recovered were blankets, foodstuff, vehicles, generators, IED materials, religious scripts and other items.

Onyeuko said another feat was achieved the same day when the air component of operation Hadin Kai, in coordinated multiple airstrikes, destroyed the stronghold of some commanders of Boko Haram at the Lake Chad axis of Borno.

“During the air operations, the spiritual base and training camps of the terrorists in the north-east part of Borno state and the fringes of Lake Chad were destroyed by air bombardments,” he said.

“These came on the heels of a credible intelligence report which revealed that, some top ISWAP/BHT commanders were holding a meeting at the said locations.”

Onyeuko added that in the north-west, troops of operation Hadarin Daji and other security agencies executed series of land and air operations concurrently in different locations during the period.

He explained that the operations led to the repelling and arrest of kidnappers and drug peddlers who confessed to supplying illicit drugs to miners as well as other criminals.

The spokesman said the operations also led to the killing of scores of bandits; peaceful resolution of farmers/herders’ clashes; recovery of arms and ammunition as well as recovery of rustled livestock.

“The operations also resulted in the rescue of kidnap victims in various locations including a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi,” he added.

“Some gunrunners and bandits logistics suppliers, including one Lawali Na Habu was also intercepted with trucks loaded with large quantities of AGO at Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State and one Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, a wanted notorious bandit was also arrested.

“The air component also conducted series of air operations, provided close air support for ground troops and dominated the air space within the period.

“On the whole, troops have continued to dominate the theatre of operations with aggressive fighting and confidence-building patrols to reassure citizens of the commitment of the military to end all of form criminality in the zone.”