The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Friday said troops deployed to various theatres of operations neutralised over 102 terrorists and criminal elements in the month of July.

The military high command also said 345 terrorist/criminals were arrested and 393 kidnap victims were rescued by troops.

The Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.- Gen. Michael Onoja, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in Abuja, added that 57 insurgents surrendered to troops, while 59 arms and 1,811rounds of ammunition were recovered.

He noted that some of the major successes recorded in the month of July were the killing of terrorists’ Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief, and the surrender of the Chief Finance Officer of the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP).

“On 12 July, troops countered a Boko Haram/ISWAP attack in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, neutralising Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior terrorist commander and propaganda chief, dealing a significant blow to the insurgents’ leadership and information network.

“In a major blow to the terrorists , troops recorded the surrender of a senior ISWAP finance operative along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route on 25 July. The operative, identified as the Chief Finance Officer of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, surrendered alongside two children and handed over an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of ammunition, a motorcycle and cash,” he said.

General Onoja said the operational record for the month of July stands as compelling testimony to the sustained resolve of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to ensure a secure environment for socio-economic stability and peace to thrive in our country, adding that troops significantly degraded the capabilities of criminals and terrorists across the nation.

“In collaboration with other security agencies and local groups, troops recorded notable successes across the operational theatres in the various geopolitical zones. These successes include the rescue of abducted and kidnap victims, as well as the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists, kidnappers, militias and other criminal elements.

“It also includes the surrender of terrorists and their family members, the recovery (or in some cases the destruction) of arms, ammunition, logistics and equipment employed by criminals for illegal acts of economic sabotage.

“The period also recorded the successful neutralisation and surrender of several high value targets, which has furthered our operations to diminish the effectiveness of the terrorists’ and criminals leadership structures in identified  areas across the country,” he said.

The defence spokesperson said beyond kinetic operations, the military also embarked on several community development projects, including the construction of town halls, provision of solar-powered boreholes, installation of transformers, rehabilitation of schools and restoration of electricity infrastructure in communities across the country.