Troops Neutralise 54 Terrorists, Arrest 102 in North-East Operations in July
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Troops Neutralise 54 Terrorists, Arrest 102 in North-East Operations in July
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ has said troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded significant gains against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP during operations conducted across Borno, Yobe, Adamawa and Bauchi states in July.
The military disclosed that 54 terrorists were neutralised, 102 suspected terrorists arrested, while 102 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, made this known during the monthly briefing on military operations held in Abuja on Friday.
According to him, 57 insurgents and their family members also surrendered to troops following sustained land and air offensives against terrorist enclaves.
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Among the major successes, Onoja said troops on July 12 repelled an attack in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, killing Abu Salim al-Barnawi, described as a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief.
He added that troops also destroyed terrorist logistics bases at Wulgo, Hausari and Danbaure in Ngala Local Government Area, while clearance operations in Gubio and Yunusari local government areas led to the recovery of weapons and the destruction of terrorist hideouts.
The military also announced the arrest of a foreign fighter from Sudan and an illegal immigrant from Ghana during operations in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
Onoja said troops intercepted several logistics suppliers, including suspects transporting construction materials, solar panels and other items intended for terrorist camps.
He added that soldiers recovered N1.2m suspected ransom money during an operation in Askira Uba and arrested a wanted criminal, Umar Sani, with an AK-47 rifle, magazines and ammunition.
The Defence Headquarters further disclosed that on July 25, a senior ISWAP finance operative surrendered to troops along the Gamboru-Wulgo supply route.
According to the military, the suspect handed over an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and cash, while two children accompanied him during the surrender.
On July 28, three additional suspected terrorists also surrendered after fleeing their camps under sustained military bombardment.
The Defence Headquarters said the continued surrender of insurgents reflected the growing effectiveness of ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership and logistics across the North-East.
