Nigeria’s defence headquarters says troops of operation Hadin Kai has rescued 130 civilians from terrorists in an offensive where 36 terrorists were killed and another 46 arrested in a two-week period.
The director defence media operations, major-general Musa Danmadami who disclosed the result at a biweekly update on the Armed Forces of Nigeria operations between 8 – 22 September 2022. He said 368 Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) also surrendered.
He said two key Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist commanders: Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (A Qaid) were killed at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa on the 12th and 15th respectively.
“Consequently, within the period in review, troops neutralized 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP logistic suppliers,” he said.
21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, four unexplosive ordinance store, two bandoliers and 10 solar panels were recovered from the terrorists. Other items seized from the insurgents are 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, one tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.
He added that a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP criminals and their families, comprising of 53 adult males, 116 adult females and 214 children surrendered to the troops at different locations in the theatre.
He said all recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action while surrendered Boko Haram terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.
Furthermore, he said the air component of operation HADIN KAI on 9 September 2022 following credible intelligence bombarded a terrorist critical facility at Somalia in Sambisa forest.
He said similar operation was carried out on terrorist enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba.
In the North West, he said troops on 15 September 2022, arrested two suspected terrorists’ collaborators at Access Bank, PZ branch in Zaria local government area of Kaduna State while trying to withdraw 14,000,000.00 deposited into the account of one Alhaji Abubakar a suspected terrorist financier.
He added that troops neutralized 16 suspected terrorists and arrested 10 notorious terrorists at different locations in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.
Items recovered include; five AK47 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 17 mobile phones, two motorcycles, three locally made rifles, three pairs of woodland camouflage, 118 rustled sheep, four Boateng radio and N29,250.00
The troops rescued 21 civilians in the North West in the period under review.
Speaking further, he said the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 13 Sep 2022 neutralised a terrorist leader Ibrahim Dangawo and other members of his gang at Dutse Babare in Jibia local government area of Katsina State.
The information director in a similar vein said a terrorist kingpin Babaru who has been on the wanted list of security agents was killed at Gidan Guga in Faskari local government area also in Katsina State at an identified terrorist enclave.
Major General Danmadami said a large number of terrorists were also killed at Kawari axis in Dan Musa local government area of Katsina State.
In the North Central, he said troops arrested six Sara Suka boys in Jos and recovered three locally fabricated rifles, five mobile phones, four hammers, five cutlasses, six knives, one figmental jacket and others.