“The Military says its troops of Operation Hadin Kai had neutralised 53 terrorists, arrested 36 and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages in the North East.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, made this known during a news conference in Abuja, on ongoing military operations as at April 4.

He said troops recovered “3 PKT guns, 46 AK47 rifles, 5 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, one bandolier, 896 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 432 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.

Others items recovered according to him are, “101 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 14 magazines, 2 HH radios, 9 motorcycles, 17 mobile phones and 12 bicycles amongst others.”

He added that all the activities as well as surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters occured in Damboa, Konduga, Bama, Gwoza and Nganzai LGAs of Borno State.

While giving a breakdown of the activities, Buba said troops recovered 2 decomposed corpses suspected to repentant BH/ISWAP terrorists.

He further said that “between 27 March and 2 April 2024, a total of 83 terrorists, comprising “16 adult male 19 adult female and 48 children” surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.”

On activities of Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven in North Central, Buba said troops carried out several activities within the period under review.

He said they conducted offensive operations, cordon and search and arrested suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State as well as Ukum LGA of Benue State.

While giving a summary of activities in the zone, he said troops neutralised “6 insurgents, arrested 23 violent extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.

Buba further said, troops recovered “5 AK47 rifles, one fabricated pistol, 10 dane guns, 2 locally made revolver rifles.”

He added that “116 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 131 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 97 rounds of 9mm ammo, 74 cartridges, 5 motorcycles and 13 mobile phones” among other items were equally recovered.

While giving a breakdown of activities, Buba said “between 27 March and 2 April 2024, troops raided a suspected violent extremists/kidnappers hideouts in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

According to him, during the operations, troops neutralised six violent extremists and arrested four suspects among other activities.

While speaking on activities of Operation Whirl Stroke still in North Central, Buba said, troops arrested “14 violent extremists and rescued 30 kidnapped hostage.

“Troops recovered 3 fabricated rifles, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one ammo link, 4 motorcycles, 17 mobile phones and the sum of N50,360 amongst others.

The spokesperson said offensive operations and counter/anti kidnapping/criminality operation were carried out in Gassol, Zing and Takum Local Government Areas of Taraba State.

He added that same operations were carried out in Kwande and Akwanga Local Government Areas of Benue and Nasarawa States as well as Bwari Area Council of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

On activities of Joint Task Force Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West, Buba said troops neutralised “57 terrorists, arrested 7 terrorists and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 24 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 19 fabricated guns, 18 locally made dane guns, 2 fabricated revolver rifles, 451 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.”

The spokesperson added that 590 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 106 live cartridges, 20 motorcycles and 9 mobile phones were recovered among others.

According to him, offensive operations, responded to terrorists activities and arrested suspected terrorists in Tsafe, Zurmi and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Kurfi, Mulumfashi, Kankara, Faskari and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina State.

He said same operation was carried out in Takai and Kiru LGAs of Kano State, Giwa and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Birnin Kebbi LGA of Kebbi State.

Speaking on Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Punch also in North West, the military spokesperson said successes were recorded.

He said troops neutralised “15 terrorists and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, one dane gun, 4 fabricated guns, 231 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.”

He further said 121 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one baofeng radio, 4 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones were recovered among others.

He said the troops carried out operations in Giwa and Kajuru Loval Government Areas of Kaduna State.

Speaking on Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe in South South, Buba said troops recovered “565,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 22,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 6 dugout pits, 33 boats and 18 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 25 cooking ovens, 3 vehicles and 16 illegal refining sites.

“Troops apprehended 25 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists.

“Troops recovered 10 weapons and 269 assorted ammunition.”

He said operations were carried out in Southern Ijaw and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Bayelsa and Cross River as well as Ughelli South and North Local Government Areas of Delta State.

On Joint Task Force Operation Udo Ka in South East, the spokesperson said troops arrested “one violent extremists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns.”

He added that other recovered items are “3 IEDs, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 93 live cartridges, one RPG bomb, 7 Baofeng radios, 2 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones among others.

According to him, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages have handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

Buba said troops in conjunction with Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigerian Police Force, conducted fighting patrols to violent extremists/IPOB/ESN camps and hideouts.

He said the camps and hideouts were in Oguta, Oru and Mbaitoli LGAs of Imo State as well as Onicha and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

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