Over 6,000 Terrorists Killed, 5,365 Civilians Rescued in Two Years – DHQ Reveals
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that, while giving an overview of troops’ achievements in two years at the expanded parley with media executives, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that a total of 6,260 terrorists have been killed across the country through joint military operations in the past two years.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, who revealed this on Thursday at the DHQ, said that 14,138 terrorists and other criminals were arrested while 5,365 civilians were rescued within the period, just as troops recovered stolen products worth over 83 billion naira.
According to him, troops recovered hundreds of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
OTN News observes that while giving details of military successes in each of the regions, the Defence spokesman said, in the Niger Delta region, troops recovered N83 billion worth of stolen crude.
He explained that the troops also killed 103 criminals, arrested 2,760 others and rescued 266 civilians from the kidnappers’ den.
Furthermore, Abu-Mawashi, said that, 1,246 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were killed, while 2,467 of them were arrested in the Northeast.
“The troops rescued 1,920 civilians, recovered 982 arms and 2,153 ammunition in the Northeast,” he said.
He further explained that, the troops killed 1,374 bandits, including their top commanders in the Northwest theatre of operation, which comprises Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Sokoto State.
He also said that the troops arrested 2,160 bandits and rescued 3,288 hostages from bandits enclaves.
“The arms and ammunition recovered are 947 weapons and 25,802 rounds, respectively.” he added.
The defence spokesman further explained that the troops on operations in the North-central killed 730 terrorists, bandits and violent extremists, and arrested 7,153 violent extremists.
Also, 1,510 civilians were rescued, while 1,065 weapons and 19,709 rounds were recovered.
In the military’s Joint Task Force Southeast over the past two years, the defence spokesman said 440 terrorists were killed while 1,677 criminals were arrested.
“The troops rescued 294 civilians and recovered 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition, ” he said.
“Finally, Joint Task Force Southwest killed 80 criminals and arrested 1,763 others, while they rescued 89 kidnap victims.
“Troops recovered 143 weapons and 177,904 rounds of ammunition,” he added.
The Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, while speaking, said that, the event marked a significant milestone in their collective efforts to address and mitigate the complex security challenges confronting the nation.
Gusau said the programme was conceived in alignment with one of the leadership philosophies of the CDS, which is “leading a people-centric armed forces”.
He, however, pledged the commitment of the military to ensuring that the Nigerian public remains accurately and adequately informed about the activities, achievements and sacrifices of the armed forces.
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