In the North-East and North-West regions of the country, where troops were sent to conduct internal security operations, they killed 21 terrorists, detained 35 others, and freed 42 hostages, while 1,332 militants turned themselves in over a two-week period. This information was provided on Thursday at the bimonthly report on the operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces between February 23 and March 9, 2023, by Major General Musa Danmadami, Director of Defence Media Operations. He claimed that throughout the relevant period, the forces also captured N10,595,580.00 in cash (old notes), guns, and rustled animals from the militants.
A breakdown provided by him indicated that while 1,332 terrorists and their family members—222 adult males, 411 adult females, and 699 children—surrendered to troops at various points throughout the theatre of operations, troops from Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East neutralized eight terrorists, detained 35 terrorist logistics suppliers, and saved 19 civilians. The soldiers also found 10 AK-47 rifles, 1 LMG, 7 rounds of 5.56 ammo, 1 LMG link with 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 200 rounds of LMG ammunition, 46 rounds of 7.62mm special, 12 rounds of refilled 7.62mm special, 2 dane guns, 4 AK-47 magazines loaded with 102 rounds of 7.62mm special, 24 AK-47 magazines, 1 36 hand grenade, and 1 motorcycle.
The surrendering terrorists and members of their families were being profiled for further action, he claimed, adding that all seized items, saved civilians, and captured suspects had been given to the proper authorities for further action. In related news, the Director reported that the Operation Hadin Kai Air Component had successfully carried out a number of air interdiction missions against terrorist strongholds and logistical operations to support ground operations. Importantly, he said that on February 24, 2023, the Air Vomponent received an informed intelligence indicating that terrorists were collaborating on plans to target several areas in Kauwa, Gamboru, and Monguno in Borno State in an effort to sabotage the general elections of that year.
In light of this, several air interdiction operations were conducted at the mentioned locations. He also stated that on February 27, 2023, the Air Component carried out an air interdiction at Muzuri in Ngala Local Government in response to an intelligence report of terrorists meeting. "Feedback revealed that the airstrikes dealt with terrorists, as several terrorists were neutralized with their logistics destroyed," he said. He said feedback further revealed that several terrorists were neutralised with logistics also destroyed in the airstrike.
In the North-West, he said troops neutralised 13 bandits as well as rescued 23 kidnap victims.
Troops also recovered seven AK47 rifles, 12 AK47 magazines, 158 rounds of 7.62mm special, one locally fabricated weapon, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two dane guns, one motorcycle, one handheld radio, nine bicycles, 39 rustled cows, 74 sheep and the sum of N10,595,580.00 only.
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