Nigerian Army,says 863 terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops in Banki, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Gamboru towns in Borno State, in two weeks.
Its Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Bernard Onyeuko,disclosed this during a biweekly press briefing on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in Abuja said.
He said the surrendered terrorists comprise 136 adult males, 251 adult females and 476 children.
He revealed that troops have sustained their operations on the terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements by maintaining offensive engagements in all theatres of operation within the country, which recorded appreciable results.
He added that the surrendered terroristshave been properly profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
According to him,troops of Operation Hadin Kai,conducted various land and air operations in different locations of the theatre with renewed vigour that recorded significant results in the last two weeks.
He stated that some of the operations were conducted at different locations in towns, villages and forests under; Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Bayo, Kukawa, Monguno, Nganzai and Damboa LGAs of Borno as well as locations in the Sambisa forest.
He said, “Troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe States, around the Mandara Mountain and along Damaturu – Potuskum road, respectively.
“Notably, ground troops with the support of the Air Component aggressively foiled terrorists’ attempted infiltration into Biu town in Borno State. During the encounter, troops neutralized scores of the terrorists and captured their gun trucks and other weapons.
“These operations resulted in the elimination and arrest of several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms, ammunition, livestock and other items of security concern as well as rescue of abducted civilians. Furthermore, troops’ operational activities have continued to drive terrorists out of their camps into surrendering with their arms and families in the North East Zone of the Country.”
Consequently, within this period under review, troops have neutralized a total of 37 terrorist elements, arrested 17 of them as well as recovered 21 assorted arms and 117 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, while a total of 4 gun trucks were captured from the terrorists.
“Additionally, troops rescued a total of 16 abducted civilians within the period. “
Besides, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai was said to have scored devastating hits on terrorists’ stronghold at Arina Chiki village in the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State, which resulted in the neutralization of scores of the terrorist, while several others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
The feat was achieved on the 14 January 2022, when on the heels of credible intelligence, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatch to attacked the identified location which the terrorists used as venue for biweekly meetings; the NAF platforms took out the terrorists in successful turns of airstrikes.
Within the last two weeks, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji were said to have maintained the operational tempo by conducting clearance operations on criminal enclaves across the theatre.
Some of the locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results include Gurbin Baure – Shimfada road, Gidan Saleh and Girnashe villages as well as Jibia town in Jibia LGA, all in Katsina State.
Other locations were; Wasagu town in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State and Kara Kalmalo village in Ilella LGA of Sokoto State. Consequently, these operations resulted in the neutralization of 12 armed bandits and arrest of 15 including their collaborators.
Besides, a total of 16 assorted arms and 136 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 114 rustled livestock were recovered by own troops within the period. In addition, troops recovered 3 extra magazines of AK-47 rifle and 4 motorcycles from bandits, while a total of 3 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
1001700cookie-check 863 Terrorists, Families Surrender
