Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation Hadin Kai at Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States have reportedly killed a foreign mercenary that was fabricating improved explosive devices for terrorists operating in the northeastern part of the country.
This was disclosed to newsmen on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, on the activities of the Force in the last three weeks (20 January – 10 February 2022). Adding that a senior commander of Islamic State West Africa Province Terrorist (ISWAP), Mallam Ari in charge of KirtaWulgo and other top commanders of Boko Haram were killed during the air bombardment.
Onyeuko, who said the Air Component conducted air strikes on ISWAP enclaves at Abbaganaram, Bukar Mairam, Chukum Gudu and Jubilaram in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, also stated that 25 terrorists got drowned in a lake while attempting the escape the bombardment.
He said: “An ISWAP senior commnander Mallam Ari, the Amirul Fiya in charge of KirtaWulgo and some foreign mercenaries fabricating Improvised Explosive Device for the terrorist were killed during the airstrike.
“Relatedly, the Air Component conducted air strikes on ISWAP enclaves at Abbaganaram, Bukar Mairam, Chukum Gudu and Jubilaram in Marte Local Government Area neutralized scores of terrorists including high profile Commanders while about 25 Terrorists got drowned in the lake in an attempt to escape the bombardment.
“The ISWAP armoury and warehouse were also destroyed and arrest of several terrorists recovery of assorted arms, ammunition and captured their gun trucks and other weapons. Also, livestocks and other items of security concern were recovered as well as rescued abducted civilians.
“Cumulatively, the troops within the period under review, neutralized 120 fighters, arrested 50 of the terrorists, 5 gun trucks, 50 assorted arms and 200 rounds of different calibers of ammunition were captured from the terrorists. Additionally, troops rescued 25 abducted civilians.
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“Similarly, a total of 965 terrorists and their families and 550 children surrendered to own troops deployed at different location including: Gamboru, Tumbumma, Kukawa, Baga, Gwoza, Mallam Fotori, Damboa, Kirta Wulgo, Bun Yadi, Gujiba, Madiya all in Borno and Yobe State.
“It is noteworthy to state that out of the 965 terrorists that surrendered within the period under review 104 are from ISWAP Camp that surrendered to own troops at Marte. The surrendered terrorist have been properly documented and handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” he said
Onyeuko further explained that troops under Operation Hadarin Daji that were on clearance operations in some dedicated Local Government Areas of Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and Katsina States, also recovered 40 AK-47 rifles, and assorted arms and 340 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, 45 motorcycles and decimations of scores of bandits and 90 rustled livestock from terrorists.
He also said the troops of Operation Safe Haven operating within the last 3 weeks in Plateau and Kaduna States, have neutralized “scores of criminal elements including; kidnappers, bandits, fraudsters, armed robbers, illegal arms dealers and their collaborators, drug peddlers as well as rescued kidnapped persons and recovered several security related items.
“Thus, within the period own troops arrested 50 criminal elements and rescued 13 kidnapped victims. Also, troops recovered 33 arms and 150 calibers of ammunitions, 450 rustled livestocks among others items of security concern in the course of their operations.”
More so, a total of 25 criminals were arrested, 10 kidnapped persons rescued, 8 trucks laden with vandalized railway track sleepers, 3 cars, 7 motorcycles recovered while large quantities of Marijuana were impounded by Troops under the Operation Whirl Stroke operating at specialized areas in Taraba, Katsina and Benue States
In another development, Onyeuko announced that in the last two weeks, troop under Operation Delta Safe operating at Rivers and Delta State creeks have recovered a total of 2,807,000 litres of stolen Crude Oil and another 2,531,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil.
“Accordingly, in the last 2 weeks, troop discovered, and destroyed a total of 45 illegal refining sites, 72 cooking ovens, 127 metal storage tanks, 30 dug out pits, 23 cotonou boats, 47 pumping machine, 9 tankers.
“Consequently, a total of 2,531,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and and2,807,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations in addition, 20 coolants, 9 tankers were recovered.
“Also, 50 galvanized pipes illegally connected to pipelines were excavated, 12 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization were arrested within the period. All the apprehended criminals and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” Onyeuko
