481 Terrorists Eliminated, 741 Suspects Arrested In October Operations – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported significant achievements in its operations across Nigeria for October, revealing that troops eliminated 481 terrorists, apprehended 741 suspects, and rescued 492 kidnapped hostages.

This update was provided by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Buba highlighted the extensive efforts of the military to combat insurgency and criminal activities throughout the country.

In addition to these results, Buba stated that the troops recovered 480 weapons and 9,026 assorted rounds of ammunition. The cache included 263 AK47 rifles, 81 locally fabricated guns, 91 Dane guns, and 76 pump-action guns.

Further detailing the stockpile, Buba noted that troops seized 5,683 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1,944 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 642 cartridges, 160 assorted arms, and 1,526 assorted rounds of ammunition.

He said, “Our strategy remains to undermine the ability of these terror groups and their cohorts.

“Troops conducted simultaneous strikes on several terrorist enclaves and hideouts across the country.

“The Air force carried out bombardments and air interdiction on these terrorist hideouts and enclaves with precision, thereby diminishing the fighting capabilities of these terrorists.

“On the whole, even as the armed forces mourn the tragic passing away of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. T.A. Lagbaja, we will not allow his passing to derail our focus to destroy the terrorists.

“We are rather inspired by his actions on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorists in order to end the war.”

In the North-East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted synchronized offensives between the air force and ground forces, striking and dislodging terrorists from their hideouts and strongholds.

He said the exerted military pressure on the terrorists in the North East resulted in the killing of 198 terrorists, the apprehending 166 suspects and rescuing 156 kidnapped hostages.

He added that the troops recorded 257 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families, as well as recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized 50 violent extremists, apprehended 202 and rescued 165 kidnapped hostages during the month.

In the northwest, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji had remained focused on their mission to create a conducive and stable security environment for agricultural activities and other forms of socio-economic activities in the zone.

According to him, troops embarked on several offensive operations, canalizing and destroying these terrorists in their hideouts and enclaves through ground and air operations.

He said that the troops neutralized 163 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages.

“Additionally, troops recovered 121 AK47 rifles, 32 fabricated guns, 53 assorted arms, 2,134 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,015 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 75 assorted ammunition.

“Also, troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 30 terrorists, arrested 111 suspects and rescued 52 kidnapped hostages.

“They recovered nine AK47 rifles, 16 assorted arms, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special, 43 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 36 assorted ammunition,” he said.