Troops of the Defence Headquarters have rescued 397 kidnapped victims, while 57 terrorists and their family members surrendered to troops in July as military operations intensified across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while presenting the military’s operational achievements for July.
According to Onoja, troops operating under various theatres of operation also neutralised 102 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 345 suspects, and recovered 59 weapons as well as 1,811 rounds of ammunition during the month.
Providing a breakdown of operations in the North-East, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained intensive offensives against Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province, and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.
He said the troops neutralised 54 terrorist fighters, arrested 102 terrorists, rescued 102 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 57 insurgents and their family members.
“The theatre also recorded a steady trend of surrenders occasioned by sustained offensive pressure on terrorists’ enclaves,” he said.
Onoja explained that on July 1, a suspected terrorist who fled a Lake Chad camp surrendered to troops in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, while on July 4, a woman and her child surrendered at Yaganari village in Dikwa LGA.
He added that between July 4 and 17, seven family members of terrorists who escaped from the Mandara Mountains also surrendered to troops in Gwoza LGA.
Highlighting one of the major breakthroughs recorded during the month, Onoja said a senior ISWAP finance operative surrendered to troops along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route on July 25.
He identified the suspect as the Chief Finance Officer of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, noting that the operative surrendered with two children and handed over an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and cash.
According to him, the surrender “brings to about 46 the number of terrorists and family members who have voluntarily surrendered in recent weeks, reflecting the effectiveness of ongoing land and air offensives in degrading terrorist capabilities and morale.”
Onoja further disclosed that on July 28, three suspected terrorists surrendered in Gubio LGA after fleeing their camps at Sabon Gari and Tumbun Mota due to sustained air bombardments.
He said the suspects confessed during interrogation that they had been trained as gunboat operators and anti-aircraft gunners for operations in the Lake Chad region.
He also revealed that troops arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Magumeri LGA on the same day after they allegedly admitted to collaborating with the insurgents.
In Taraba State, Onoja said troops on July 29 conducted a fighting patrol to Bomanda village in Karim Lamido LGA following reports of kidnappings and successfully rescued three civilians who had been held captive for about 10 days.
“The victims were evacuated for medical treatment prior to reunification with their families,” he said.
Summarising the military’s nationwide operations for the month, Onoja said, “The operational record for the month of July stands as compelling testimony to the sustained resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure a secure environment for socio-economic stability and peace to thrive in our country.”
He added, “Over 102 terrorists and criminals were neutralised this month, with 345 terrorist/criminals arrested and 393 kidnap victims rescued. Additionally, 57 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 59 arms and 1,811 rounds of ammunition were recovered.”
Onoja also said the military sustained pressure against crude oil theft, noting that the successes recorded in the Niger Delta had continued to frustrate the activities of economic saboteurs.
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