By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday said 466 terrorists surrendered after losing interest in the Boko Haram terrorists’ ideology.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said this while giving updates of military operations across the country from Feb. 10 to Feb. 24 on Thursday in Abuja.
He said Troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed scores of terrorists in different operations within two weeks in North East.
Onyeuko said the sustained land and air raids by the troops led to the surrendering of 466 Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists comprising 120 adult males, 137 adult females and 209 children.
He said the surrendered terrorists claimed that they had lost interest in the Boko Haram terrorists’ ideology.
He added that the air interdiction by the air component on Feb. 11, around Marte area of Borno led to the killing of one of the leaders of ISWAP terrorists known as Mohammed Yusuf and his fighters.
“Cumulatively, troops eliminated six terrorists, arrested 26 and recovered cache of different calibres of arms and ammunition and four gun trucks.
“Also, 20 abducted civilian victims were rescued by the troops.
“The surrendered terrorists and arrested criminals have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate security agencies for necessary action,” he said.
In Operation Hadarin Daji, Onyeuko said the troops recorded a major operational breakthrough when a notorious bandit known as Dogo Umaru, and scores of his fighters were eliminated in an air interdiction Zamfara forest.
He said the operation led to the killing of 10 bandits, recovery of several arms and ammunitions and motorcycles as well as stolen livestock and rescue of 10 kidnapped victims.
In Operation Safe Haven, the defence spokesman said the troops had sustained both kinetic and non-kinetic operations across Plateau and parts of Kaduna State.
He said the non-kinetic effort led to the convening of a peace summit between Irigwe youths and Fulani youths on Feb. 17 as a prelude to the implementation of peace plan to ensure lasting peace in the area.
He added that the kinetic operations led to the arrest of six criminals and rescue of 60 displaced persons to Internally Displaced Persons camp during the period.
Onyeuko further said that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke also recorded operational successes through series of air interdictions on bandits’ enclaves in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna state, killing over 75.
He added that troops also encountered bandits in Benue, killing five and rescued kidnapped victims during the period.
Onyeuko commended the troops for the successes so far recorded in various theatres of operation, urging the public to continue to support the military in its effort to rid the nation of all forms of insecurity.
