The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that no fewer than 201 kidnapped Nigerians were rescued by troops during various operations in the last two weeks.
The citizens, it said, were rescued during clearance operations conducted on terrorist hideouts in different locations in Borno and Kaduna states.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing select journalists on the activities of the military between March 09 to March 23.
He said, “On March 14, 2023, troops conducted clearance operations to terrorist enclaves within Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State. The troops rescued 49 kidnapped civilians comprising 26 adults and 23 children.
“Also, troops neutralized 13 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, arrested 6 logistics suppliers, and rescued 119 abducted civilians.
“In another development, troops conducted search and rescue operations at suspected kidnappers’ hideouts at Moyaladi, Miya, and Gaya villages in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and Modori and Gurusulu villages in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State. Following the operation, 4 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 6 kidnapped victims were rescued.”
Danmadami added that troops of Operation Whirl stroke neutralized 14 terrorists, arrested 12 terrorist logistics suppliers rescued 16 abducted civilians.
He noted that cumulatively, within the period under review, troops in the North West zone recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 1 PKT MG, 1 RPG 7 tube, 15 magazines, 7 pump action guns, 139 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm link ammunition, 218 rounds of 7.62mm special, 47 rounds of PKT ammunition.
Danmadami also said a total of 1,506 terrorists surrendered to the troops in the last two weeks.
He said, “A total of 1,506 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females, and 838 children surrendered to their troops at a different location within the theatre of operation.”
Speaking on the activities of troops in the South East, he said troops eliminated seven criminals and arrested 32 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.
