Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces in a joint operation with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested a suspect with 67 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at the custom Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Shuwari town in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno state.
The Director, Defence Media Operation (DMO), Major General Musa Danmadami,who said this at the biweekly press briefing in Abuja on Thursday,didn’t disclose the identity of the suspect.
He also noted that, a known terrorist Mr. Lawan Yashin who attempted to escape upon sighting troops was neutralized at the same Camp.
He stated that troops of operation HADIN KAI in the North East Zone have sustained operational activities in villages, mountains, town and cities within their area of responsibility.
He added:”Between 20th October, to 2nd November, 2022, troops conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search operations at different locations in Bama, Kukawa, Kaga, and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno State as well as Damaturu, Gujba and Geidam Local Government Areas in Yobe States.
“Troops arrested 27 suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, neutralized 19 and recovered one RPG bomb, one GPMG, 2 x 36 hand grenade, six AK47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm special, 36 refilled 7.62 mm special, 3 AK47 magazines and three magazine holders.
“Others are six motorcycles, seven bicycles, pumping machine, six grinding machines, nine mobile phones, 6 x 25litres jerrican of PMS, bag of grains, motorcycle accessories, foodstuff, one baofeng radio and the sum of N10,660.00 Naira only as well as other sundry items.
“On the 20th October, 2022, troops in conjunction with Department of State Security personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force made contact with Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Buduwa and Banki villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized one terrorist while other fled with gunshot injuries.”
He also disclosed that one terrorist surrendered to own troops and handover one AK47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one baofeng radio, two mobile phones, one camel pack amongst other items.
He said on the same day, two suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists were arrested in Damaturu, Yobe State.
According to him, “During the period in focus, which is between 20th October to 3rd November, 2022 a total of 145 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprising 30 adult males, 33 adult females and 82 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation.
“The air component of Operation HADIN KAI on 21st October 2022 conducted air interdiction mission on a terrorist convoy movement along Tunbum Aliyu, near Lake Chad, a terrorist location Southwest of Maiduguri.
“The strikes eliminated several terrorists as well as seven gun trucks and other materials. Similarly, based on credible intelligence of terrorist hibernating in enclaves in Abulum and Njibul near Sambisa forest, the air component struck the locations simultaneously and eliminated scores of terrorists while the injured ones were observed to be have scampered for safety.”
Troops in the North Central Zone of the Country have sustained the onslaught against terrorists and other criminal elements in their general area of operation which yielded tremendous success,he said.
This, General Danmadami said, “On 29th October, 2022, in a coordinated operation between the land component and the air component, troops repelled an attack by the Boko Haram Terrorist and Islamic State of West Africa State Province terrorists at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
“Following the engagement, troops neutralized three terrorists and captured five. Additionally, troops recovered one HK 21 gun, 1 PKT gun, 598 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 676 rounds of 7.62 special, 3,902 rounds of AK49 ammunition, two RPG tubes, seven RPG bombs, one grenade and three cartons of Improvised Explosive Devices accessories.
“Other items include two vehicles, two motorola radios, two radio chargers, cartons of drip, motorcycles, mobile phones and other sundry items.”
He further revealed that, a follow up and exploitation operation was conducted by troops in conjunction with vigilantes at Tungan Gagara and Damala villages where contacts was made with the terrorist, following the fire fight, 13 terrorist were arrested while several others jumped into the river.
“Items recovered during the encounter include five AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of PKT gun, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special, and five AK47 magazines. Other items recovered are two mobile phones, two HH radio and the sum of N52,850.00 only.
“Consequently, he disclosed that a similar operation was carried out on 1st November, 2022 at Babusara village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, during the encounter, troops neutralized three terrorists while other fled in disarray. Troops also recovered two AK47 rifles loaded with 112 rounds of 7.62mm special.
“Equally, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NDLEA operatives on 28th October, 2022 raided identified drug peddlers hideout around North bank in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.”
During the operation, General Danmadami said, “14 suspected illicit drug peddlers were arrested, with large quantities of substance suspected to be hard drugs.
“Also, troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30th October, 22 and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered four dane guns, one locally fabricated gun, 14 cutlasses, four sleg hammers, 25 motorcycles, one vehicle and other items. Troops on the same day also arrested 2 trailers loaded with illegal mined items.”
Between the 21st to 24th October, 2022, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN were said to have conducted raid operation at Burgel town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Tangur village and Dorowa Bukuru town in Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
“During the raid operation, troops arrested five suspected kidnappers. Items recovered from the suspects were two wooden fabricated rifles, one round of 7.62mm special, one mobile phone, substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, and other illicit drugs.
“Troops also raided villages in Qu’an Pan, Jos South, Jos East and Jema’s Local Government Areas of Plateau and Kaduna States and arrested two suspected drug peddlers, three suspected armed robbers and two suspected kidnappers.”
Also, on the 23rd October, 2022, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE acting on intelligence on the movement of suspected kidnappers on Road Takun-Wakari in Taraba State, neutralized two suspected kidnappers as they attempted to escape on sighting own troops at their hideout. Items recovered were two mobile phones, one power bank, one identification card, one bag containing charms, one bag containing drugs and the sum of N865,460.00 amongst others.
“Similarly, on 29th October, 2022, credible information revealed that a kidnapper kingpin who was an escapee from the Jos prison break was at Farin Kasa in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Troops responded promptly and the suspect was neutralized while trying to escape from his hideout. Troops also neutralized a notorious kidnapper identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi in Goro village of Plateau State while equally trying to escape from his hideout.
“Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN between 27th 30th October, 2022 conducted cordon and search and rescue operations following credible intelligence on kidnapping activities in Kafancha, Kaura, Zango Kataf and Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna as well as Mangu, Riyon, Qu’anpan and Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau States.
“During the operations, troops arrested three kidnappers, three suspected gun runners and rescued two kidnapped victims. Troops recovered four locally fabricated rifles, four rounds of 7.62mm special, two machetes among others.
“Equally, on 29th October, 2022, troops responded to information on kidnapping activity on road Jos – Abuja at Bindi village, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. Troops discovered that the criminal had abducted five occupants in a Sharon vehicle, which was enroute Jos.
“Troops pursued and made contact with criminals, and exchanged fire with them. Troops neutralized two kidnappers and rescued the five victims. Troops also recovered one locally fabricated rifles loaded with one round of 7.62mm special, one dagger, two machetes and two mobile phones.”
According to Danmadami, troops of operation HADARIN DAJI and WHIRL PUNCH in the North West Zone of the Country have continued to sustain operational activities through the conduct of fighting and clearance patrols to clear terrorists enclaves.
The troops conducted operational activities at various locations within Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi States between 21st October to 2nd November, 2022.
During the various operation, he said, troops neutralized 25 terrorists, rescued 19 civilians and arrested 18 terrorists.
He added:”Troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles with three magazines containing 69 rounds of 7.62mm special, one round of 9mm, two pump action guns, three cartridges, 12 dane guns, three locally made pistol, 18 mobile phones, four motorcycle and recovered 441 rustled cattles.
“Notably, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH on 23rd October, 2022 responded to the presence of terrorist at Abasia – Amala villages, East of Polewire and Maidaro villages in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with the terrorist.
“During the encounter, troops neutralized two terrorists, recovered one AK47 rifle, two magazines containing 38 rounds of 7.62mm special, 14 mobile phones, one dane gun, two baofeng radios as well as 11 motorcycles which were destroyed.
“Similarly, on 24th October, 2022 troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted fighting patrol along Road Buruku – Angwan Yako – Udawa in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with terrorist. Following a fire fight the terrorist fled leaving their kidnapped victims.
“Troops exploited area and rescued 10 civilians and recovered three vehicles. Equally, on 27th October, 2022 troops conducted clearance patrol in Anka and Faskari Local Government Areas of Zamfara and Katsina States. Troops neutralized two bandits, rescued nine kidnapped victims, recovered one AK47 rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special, one motorcycle and two mobile phones.”
He added that on the same day, based on credible information on Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist activities at Dumburum forest west of Kwari village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, the air component of HADARIN DAJI carried out air bombardment at the identified terrorists location. Feedback of the air strike revealed that scores of terrorists were neutralized with others badly injured following the air strike.
“On the 30th October, 2022, troops on fighting patrol along Road Bindi – Gobirwan, Chali village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State made contact with terrorist. During the encounter troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled with gun shot injuries. Troops also recovered one AK47 loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm special and one motorcycle amongst others.
“Also, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on the 21st October, 2022 conducted an air strike at Maradum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on an identified terrorist leader’s location. Credible intelligence revealed that the terrorist leader and foot soldiers had scheduled an early-morning meeting in a location, while their logistics base where ammunitions, vehicles, motorcycles and other ill-gotten loots were stored in another location.