Troops kill 36 terrorists, free 140 abductees

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Troops kill 36 terrorists, free 140 abductees

The Defence Headquarters has said troops killed 36 terrorists and arrested 143 criminals across the various theatres of operations in the last two weeks.

Also, the military high command said troops rescued 140 kidnapped citizens across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this during the biweekly briefing of the military in Abuja on Thursday.

Buba said, “In the course of operations, troops of Operation Safe Haven recovered three AK-47 rifles, three Dane guns, one locally-fabricated pistol, one locally-made gun, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one cartridge, three mobile phones, a piece of camouflage, a jackknife. Also, troops arrested 10 suspects.

“Also, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recovered one pistol, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, four rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two G3 magazines, one vehicle, one motorcycle, one mobile phone, and a pair of black boots. Additionally, troops neutralised one terrorist, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued nine kidnapped hostages.”

Furthermore, the military spokesman said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recovered one AK47 rifle, four AK47 rifle magazines, two rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle, and 80 livestock.

He said 20 kidnapped hostages were freed by troops of Operation Hadarin Daji.

“In the course of the operation, troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 11 terrorists and recovered two fabricated rifles, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special, three motorcycles, and 80 livestock. Troops also arrested 16 terrorists, logistic suppliers, or collaborators and rescued two kidnapped hostages.

“In addition, in the conduct of operations, troops of Operation Udo Ka recovered apprehended three gunrunners, and rescued nine kidnapped hostages,” Buba said.

He noted that within the period under review, the military arrested 15 oil thieves and recovered the sum of N3.17m in the Niger Delta region.

Buba said, “In the course of operations, troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one generator, two pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites.

“Troops also recovered 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 dual-purpose kerosine, and five litres of Premium Motor Spirit and apprehended 15 perpetrators of oil theft.”

Buba added that the recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.