Troops neutralised 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists in August -DHQ

..Diminish capabilities of terror groups to engage in major offensive

BY ANDREW OROLUA

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops neutralised 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 721 kidnapped hostages in the month of August 2024.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made the revelation on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing, added that the ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive.

He said that the situation experienced mostly these days are low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.

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The Defence Media Operations director added that not less than 16 terrorists’ leaders and commanders were also neutralised in the month of August.

“Several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield by troops during the month,” he said.

“Those leaders and commanders eliminated in the North East Zone include: Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.

“Others neutralised in the North West Zone include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.

“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.”

Accordingly, the armed forces is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups, he said.

He said that troops’ strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens adding that the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators.

Major General Buba said that troops have significantly dismantle terror groups in the North East, noting that they are diminishing but active threat. Troops are also intensifying operations in the North West, North Central, South East and South South to defeat and dismantle the threats in these areas.

Giving details of Operations, the Director disclosed that during the month of August 2024, troops neutralised 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.

“Additionally, troops recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions and denied oil theft of an estimated sum of over N5bn (N5,045,160,010.00) only.

The breakdown of recoveries in the month of August includes and is not limited to the following: “208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.

“Others are 5,047,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS amongst other items,” he said.

According to him, the motivation of the terrorist is getting lower and lower in the North East and this accounts for the mass surrender of terrorists being recorded. He said troops are working assiduously to replicate the same feat in other theatres of Operation in order to bring peace and safety to citizens.

Major General Buba said the military is on high alert and we have increased our readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression.

“We urge citizens to understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation. It is certain that at the end, these terrorists will be destroyed and our nation will be safe and peaceful again,” he pleaded.