Troops kill 73 terrorists and rescue 55 victims -DHQ

According to the Defence Headquarters, Operation Hadin Kai troops in the North East have killed 73 Boko Haram/Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in less than two weeks.

Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, the acting Director of the Defence Media Operation, revealed this during a press conference.

On Thursday in Abuja, he briefed journalists on military operations between June 18 and June 30.

The troops also recovered a large cache of arms and equipment from the terrorists in the area, according to Onyeuko.

various encounters over the course of the period.

He went on to say that on June 27, the troops had received a total of 55 terrorist camp escapees.

15 adult males, 12 adult females, and 27 children surrendered to them in Borno’s Darajemel.

He said 73 terrorists were killed, with 44 AK-47 rifles, two PKTs, seven anti-aircraft guns, and seven gun trucks among the weapons used.

Ammunition of various calibres, as well as weapon cleaning supplies, was discovered.

Blankets, food, vehicles, generators, IED materials, religious scripts, and other items were also recovered, he said.

Another feat was accomplished on the same day, according to the acting director, when the air component of Operation Hadin Kai was coordinated.

Multiple airstrikes in the Borno region’s Lake Chad axis destroyed some terrorist commanders’ strongholds.

He went on to say, “Airstrikes were launched against terrorist camps in the towns of Sabon Tumbu, Jibularam, and Kwalaram in the state.

Read also: 8 Boko Haram terrorists surrender as troops rescue more captives

“Terrorists’ spiritual bases and training camps in the north-east of Borno State and on the outskirts of Lake Chad were destroyed by air bombardment during the air operations.

“This followed a credible intelligence report revealing that some top ISWAP/BHT commanders were meeting at the aforementioned locations.

“As a result, the Air Component mobilized on NAF platforms with force packages and launched attacks on the targets.”

During that time, Onyeuko said, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji and other security agencies in the North West carried out a series of land and air operations in various locations.

He explained that the operations resulted in the capture and arrest of kidnappers and drug dealers who admitted to supplying illegal drugs to miners and other criminals.

According to the spokesman, the operations resulted in the deaths of a large number of bandits, the peaceful resolution of farmer/herder clashes, the recovery of arms and ammunition, and the recovery of rustled livestock.

“The operations also resulted in the rescue of kidnapping victims in various locations, including a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi, and a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi.

“At Tangaza LGA in Sokoto State, some gunrunners and bandit logistics suppliers, including one Lawali Na Habu, were apprehended with trucks loaded with large quantities of AGO, and one Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, a wanted notorious bandit, was also apprehended.

“During this time, the air component also carried out a number of air operations, provided Close Air Support to ground troops, and dominated the airspace.

“Overall, troops have continued to dominate the theater of operations with aggressive fighting and confidence-building patrols to reassure citizens of the military’s commitment to eliminating all forms of criminality in the zone,” he said.