Troops killed 1,910 terrorists, bandits, others in seven months

In seven months, the Armed Forces troops killed 1,910 criminal elements across the country, including terrorists, bandits, robbers, and kidnappers, according to the Defence Headquarters.

Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, told reporters yesterday in Abuja about the armed forces’ operations.

According to Onyeuko, the figure is in addition to the scores of other terrorists and bandits killed in airstrikes between May 20, 2021, and January 6, 2022.
He added that the troops rescued 729 kidnap victims across the country.

According to him, 912 criminals were apprehended during the period, and the troops recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition, as well as livestock and other items of economic and security concern.
Troops also recovered 13.2 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 3.9 million litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene, according to Onyeuko (DPK).

He claimed that 38,582 barrels of stolen crude oil and 6.49 million litres of illegally refined PMS were recovered and handed over to the appropriate authorities.

In addition, between May 2021 and January, a total of 24,059 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the Northeast, including 5,326 adult males, 7,550 adult females, and 11,183 children, according to the Defence Headquarters.

All surrendered elements have been properly profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action, according to the statement.

A total of 1, 910 suspected terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements were also killed during the time period under consideration.

Maj-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), stated at the bi-weekly operational briefing in Abuja that fighting forces across theatres had demonstrated resilience and doggedness in the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s determination to reassert the state’s authority.

The DMO called for renewed collaboration between security agencies and the public in order to restore peace across the state while warning state enemies against continuing on their criminal path.