Troops Eliminate 129 Terrorists, Rescue 542 Kidnap Victims in June — DHQ
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Troops Eliminate 129 Terrorists, Rescue 542 Kidnap Victims in June — DHQ
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ on Wednesday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 129 terrorists and other criminal elements, arrested 486 suspects, and rescued 542 kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations carried out across the country in June.
The military also said 11 insurgents surrendered to troops within the period, while 130 firearms, 5,538 rounds of ammunition, seven illegal refining sites and over 308,515 litres of stolen petroleum products were recovered.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this during the Defence Headquarters’ monthly and second quarter operational briefing in Abuja.
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According to him, the successes were recorded through sustained counter-terrorism, counter-banditry, counter-kidnapping and anti-economic sabotage operations conducted across the six geopolitical zones.
He said, “The operational record for the month of June stands as compelling testimony to the sustained professionalism, operational excellence, and unwavering resolve of troops across all operational theatres.”
Giving a breakdown of the second quarter operations, Onoja said troops neutralised 662 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,084 suspects and rescued 951 kidnapped civilians between April and June.
He added that 39 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 328 arms, 12,590 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 12 illegal refining sites and recovered more than 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.
The DHQ said troops also sustained pressure on Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP in the North-East, dismantled kidnapping syndicates in the North-West and North-Central, degraded the operational capabilities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN in the South-East, and intensified operations against oil thieves in the Niger Delta.
The military maintained that all operations were conducted in compliance with the rules of engagement and international humanitarian law.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their gallantry and professionalism, while urging Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence.
He assured citizens that the Armed Forces would sustain the current operational tempo until peace and security are fully restored across the country.
