Troops Eliminate 102 Terrorists, Rescue 397 Hostages in July — DHQ

Nigerian military troops killed 102 terrorists and suspected criminals, arrested 345 suspects, and rescued 397 kidnapping victims across the country during operations in July.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Friday while presenting the Armed Forces’ operational scorecard for the month.

He said the troops also recovered 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition, while 57 insurgents and members of their families surrendered to security forces.

Onoja described the surrender of a senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province as one of the major breakthroughs recorded during the period.

Giving a breakdown of operations in the North-East, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained coordinated ground and air offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad.

He said the operations were conducted across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno and Yobe states.

Onoja said, “Operations led to the killing of 54 terrorists, the arrest of 102 suspects, the rescue of 102 kidnapped victims, and 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.”

Onoja said a senior ISWAP finance operative surrendered to troops on July 25 along the Ladari-Jegarawa-Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru-Wulgo Main Supply Route.

He said the suspect was identified as the chief finance officer of an ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram.

He further stated, “A suspect, 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 an undisclosed sum of money.

“The surrender underscores the effectiveness of ongoing military operations in degrading the operational capability and morale of insurgent groups.”

He added that three other suspected terrorists surrendered to troops in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State on July 28 after fleeing their camps following sustained air strikes.

“The suspects confessed during interrogation that they had been trained as gunboat operators and anti-aircraft gunners for operations around the Lake Chad region,” Onoja stated.

The military also arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators in Magumeri Local Government Area over their alleged support for insurgent activities.

In Taraba State, Onoja said troops rescued three kidnapped victims during a fighting patrol to Bomanda village in Karim Lamido Local Government Area.

He said the victims had spent about 10 days in captivity before their rescue.

“The victims, who had been held captive for about 10 days, were evacuated for medical attention before being reunited with their families,” he said.

Summarising the nationwide operations, Onoja said the military would continue to mount pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups.

Onoja stated, “The operational record for July stands as compelling testimony to the Armed Forces’ resolve to create a secure environment for socio-economic development.

“During the month, 102 terrorists and criminals were neutralised, 345 suspects arrested, 397 kidnapped victims rescued, while 57 insurgents surrendered. Troops also recovered 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition.”

He added that operations against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta also disrupted the activities of suspected economic saboteurs.