DHQ: Thousands of BH/ISWAP fighters, informants, family members surrender in North East

Following the proactive engagements across all theatres of operation in the country, Nigerian military troops have eliminated over 70 terrorists in two weeks. In the same vein consequent to sustained tempo of offensive by the troops, the defence headquarters said thousands of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters along with their family members and informants have surrendered.

Given account of the successes of the troops, at a media briefing in Abuja Thursday, acting director of Defence Media Operation, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko , said troops of Operation HADIN KAI have sustained the aggressive posture with zest in the North East.

According to him, the Theatre Command conducted series of land and air operations in different locations have not only degraded the enemy’s operational capabilities of insurgents, but have contributed to more terrorists surrendering with their families.

“In the course of the operations within the period, a total of 38 terrorist elements were neutralized, including the ISWAP’s new leader, Bako.

“Also, a total of 11 criminal elements including terrorists and their informants and their logistics suppliers were arrested in the course of these operations.

“Additionally, a total of 29 assorted weapons, 166 rounds of assorted ammunition, among other items were recovered. Others are; 2 gun trucks and 622 bags of fertilizer, used for production of IEDs; while 5 kidnapped civilians were rescued. Some of these feats were recorded at; Dar, Kumshe, Wulgo, Chabbol and Kijmatari villages in Borno State as well as locations along Ngala – Wulgo and Nguru – Kano roads. Other locations were; Dikwa and Mafa villages as well as Ngama village in Yobe State. Furthermore, between 15 and 28 October 2021, a total of 1,199 terrorists and their families, comprising 114 adult males, 312 adult females and 773 children, surrendered to own troops at different locations in the North East”.

Onyeuko said “in another development, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of air interdiction missions against the BHT/ISWAP terrorists which were successful in different locations. “Significantly, on 20 October 2021, the Air Component scored another devastating hit on BHT/ISWAP terrorist elements at Malam Fatori on the fringes of the Lake Chad”.

This feat, he said was possible due of credible intelligence report and after series of aerial surveillance, which confirmed the convergence of terrorist elements in 20 boats at the location.

“Consequently, air strikes were executed on the target with various NAF platforms, which led to the destruction of the boats and neutralization of scores of the terrorists, while few of them flee in disarray with varying degrees of wounds”.

He said on October21 2021, following report of ISWAP elements’ attack on own troops at Katarko area in Yobe State, the Air Component engaged the terrorists in successive air strikes and neutralized scores of them.

Also within the period, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI dominated the operations theatre with aggressive fighting patrols and other kinetic operations with the support of intensive air operations executed.

He said “In the course of these operations, significant achievements were recorded in some locations. These include; Gwandu LGA in Kebbi State where some cattle rustlers were arrested”.

According to him, cumulatively, a total of 15 kidnapped civilians were rescued; 9 armed bandits neutralized; 11 AK 47 rifles, 43 rounds of ammunition and 86 livestock were recovered as well as 34 armed bandits and other criminal elements were arrested within the period. The criminals were arrested  at Wanzamai village in Zamfara State; while some others neutralized at Gimi village in Katsina State.  Relatedly, armed bandits were arrested at Safana LGA in Katsina State and Ruwan Godiya village as well as along Alikere – Yarmalamai road in Zamfara State, where some livestock were recovered.

The arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for necessary action.

With Operation SAFE HAVEN, troops continue to maintain vigilance and dominated the operations theatre with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action, relative calm is returning to the zone.

The spokesman noted that the operations also led to the recovery of 13 assorted arms, 291 ammunition and 28 livestock among other items.

“Troops’ response to distress calls also helped in repelling and forestalling criminal activities; leading to the rescue of  five victims kidnapped by armed bandits’ and the arrest of 5 criminal elements within the period”, he said.

He disclosed  that some of theincidents were recorded at; Mailafiya Market in Sanbak village under Riyom LGA; Kukawa village in Kanam LGA and Mukushin District and Bokkos – Kuba – Barkin Ladi road in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. Other locations were; Amper – Langtang road in Kanke LGA; Sabon Gari and surrounding forests in Jos East LGA of plateau State as well as Zankan village and Gidan Waya area in Jama’a LGA  and Fadan Karshi in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

Furthermore, he said Operation WHIRL PUNCH/THUNDER STRIKE sustained its operational activities in parts of the North West Zone.

Within the period, troops with the support of the Air Component stormed some armed bandits’ hideouts during clearance operations at; Chikun LGA, Damba and Kange Kadi villages in Kaduna State. As a result no fewer than 12 armed bandits were neutralized, 11     AK-47 rifles, 64 rounds of ammunition, 24 livestock among other items were recovered in the course of these operations.

Also, troop of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE according to Onyeuko have continued to record more success in its operations in the North Central Zone.

Some of these operations yielded significant results at some locations in the Zone.

“Consequently, a total    of 35 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, teargas launchers, locally-made pistols and rifles, 25 extra rifle magazines and 431 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Also a total of 11 armed bandits were arrested and 2 kidnapped civilians rescued in the course of the operations.

“These feats were recorded at; Ustoma village in Mbadwem Council Ward of Guma LGA, Tungu village in Utange Councl Ward and Gbise community in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. Other locations were; Sabon Gida in Gassol LGA, Apigwa village in Donga LGA; Gawa and Chachanji villages in Takum LGA of Taraba State as well as Maraba Udege in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State”. He said.