212 killed as Nigerian troops overpower terrorists, apprehend 252 others

The Defence Headquarters has reported significant successes in military operations across the nation, with troops neutralizing 212 terrorists, apprehending 253 suspects, and rescuing 244 kidnapped hostages in the span of one week.

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, provided this update during a briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the operations resulted in the recovery of 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 rounds of ammunition, including three M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 24 locally fabricated guns, and 36 dane guns.

In the North East region, Operation Hadin Kai troops neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 137 suspects, and rescued 78 hostages. The recovered weapons included three M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, and assorted ammunition.

In the North Central, Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke recorded the deaths of 47 terrorists, the arrest of 17 suspects, and the rescue of four kidnap victims, alongside the recovery of a cache of arms.

Meanwhile, in the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji led to the neutralization of 62 terrorists, the arrest of 12 others, and the rescue of 162 kidnapped hostages. The troops recovered 46 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, and various ammunition.

The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji also carried out successful air interdictions on terrorist enclaves, leading to the destruction of their structures and logistic bases.

Buba emphasized successful missions in Katsina State, stating, “Following confirmatory ISR, the rocky terrain at the locations used by terrorists as hideout and forward base was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets.”

He further detailed operations in the Niger Delta, where Operation Delta Safe recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products. The troops also dismantled 61 illegal refining sites and apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves and violent extremists.

In the South East, Operation UDO KA led to the apprehension of suspected violent extremists, gunrunners, and a raid on an IPOB/ESN camp in Anambra and Ebonyi States. Troops neutralized 11 terrorists, apprehended 14 suspects, and recovered weapons and ammunition.

“All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action,” Buba concluded.

These operations reflect the continued efforts of the Nigerian military to combat terrorism, insurgency, and criminal activities across the country.