By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says Nigerian troops in various operations, eliminated several terrorists and bandits across the various theatres of operation in North East, North Central and  North West.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the operational successes were achieved in the last two weeks in various land and air operations.

In the North East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised some terrorists, arrested high-profile terrorist collaborators in Mafa, Kukawa and Konduga Local Government Areas (LGSs) of Borno.

According to him, active terrorists and fighters also surrendered to troops owing to sustained onslaught against them, although they claimed that they had lost interest in the terrorist ideology.

He said that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air operations against terrorist enclaves and their logistics bases and degraded them.

According to him, the air component conducted air reconnaissance and intelligence at terrorist’ hideouts in Hyawa in Borno, with bombs.

“After, action review revealed that many of the terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed.

“In the course of operations, troops recovered seven AK 47 rifles, two FN rifles, one 36 hand grenade, 100 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, two mobile phones, food stuff, condiment, one cart and the sum of N2.1 million.

“Troops equally neutralised six terrorists and arrested eight suspected terrorist collaborators as well as rescued 10 kidnapped civilians during these operations,” he said.

In North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven raided criminal hideouts and recovered weapons in Mangu and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke had in separate operations raided kidnappers’ hideouts at Duduguru village in Obi Local Government of Nasarawa State and Chinkai Forest in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba and rescued kidnapped victims.

He added that the troops neutralised nine bandits, arrested 10 suspects and rescued nine kidnapped victims as well as recovered arms.

In North West, the defense spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji raided bandit hideouts in five separate operations around villages, towns and mountains at Batsari, Tangaza and Maru Local Government Areas of Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States during the period.

He said the operations led to the killing of scores of terrorists, arrest of six terrorists who are Nigeriens and five others in different locations.

According to him, the air component conducted several air operations to degrade terrorist groups and their logistics bases, pursuant to denying them freedom of action.

He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch, had during the period ambushed and neutralised several terrorists in Igabi Local Government Area. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi