The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has disclosed that troops engaged in internal security operations across the country killed 662 terrorists and other criminal elements within the last three months.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Onoja said troops also arrested 1,084 suspects, rescued 951 kidnapped victims and destroyed 12 illegal crude oil refining sites during the period under review.
According to him, security forces recovered over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“The achievements recorded last month and throughout the second quarter reflect the professionalism, operational effectiveness and unwavering commitment of our troops across the country,” he said.
He attributed the successes to sustained joint land operations, close air support, intelligence-led missions and coordinated military actions.
Giving a breakdown of June operations, Onoja said troops killed 129 terrorists and other criminals, arrested 486 suspects, rescued 542 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 11 insurgents.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East killed 76 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects, rescued 465 kidnapped victims and received the surrender of 11 insurgents and their family members.
The military spokesman revealed that one of the major operations took place on June 6 when troops launched a coordinated assault on terrorist hideouts in the Mandara Mountains of Borno State, rescuing 360 civilians, mostly women and children, who had been held captive since March.
He added that troops also rescued 53 civilians, recovered eight hijacked vehicles along the Buratai-Kamuya Road, repelled terrorist attacks in Buratai and Lamurde, dismantled logistics networks and rescued seven abducted schoolchildren alongside a teacher in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
“For the quarter, Operation Hadin Kai killed 484 terrorists, arrested 370 suspects, rescued 595 kidnapped victims and received the surrender of 38 insurgents and their family members,” Onoja said.
In the North-West, he said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma killed 33 terrorists, arrested 165 suspects and rescued 51 kidnapped victims in June.
He added that troops recovered firearms, motorcycles, improvised explosive device, IED, materials and large quantities of ammunition.
Onoja further disclosed that security forces arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin at Shinkafi Market, intercepted over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, arrested suspected terrorist collaborators arriving on a pilgrim flight and apprehended logistics suppliers transporting 69 jerry cans of fuel allegedly meant for terrorist groups.
He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would sustain offensive operations, enhance intelligence gathering and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to eliminate security threats across the country.
