Nigerian troops killed 950 terrorists between May 20, 2021, and January 6, 2022, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operation, Major-General Benard Onyeuko, has said.
Major-General Onyuko told journalists on Thursday in Abuja that during the period under review, a total of 537 bandits and other criminal elements, including two key bandits’ leaders in Zamfara State in northern Nigeria, Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga, were neutralised.
He disclosed that Nigerian troops also rescued about 1,000 kidnapped civilians and recovered assorted weapons from the criminal elements.
According to him, the operational activities of the Nigerian troops resulted in the killing of 950 terrorists, including the high profile commanders and leaders, while a total of 79 terrorists were arrested, 113 kidnapped civilians were rescued by the troops of operation Hadin Kai within this period.
He added that under Operation Hadarin Daji, the operational efforts of the Nigerian gallant troops resulted in the killing of 537 bandits and other criminal elements and arrest of 374 criminal elements including bandits and their collaborators as well as criminal herdsmen and robbers.
Onyeuko disclosed that the Nigerian troops also rescued 452 kidnapped victims and recovered 227 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 4,443 rounds of different calibres of ammunition.
According to him, 3,250 rustled livestock, 238 motorcycles and 118 extra rifle magazines were recovered by the troops in the course of the operations.
He said the Air Component recorded another feat on January 3 when it executed air offensives on bandits’ enclaves at Gusami Forest and West Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State which led to the neutralisation of scores of bandits.
He said the locations were the operational base of two key bandits’ leaders, Alhaji Auta and Kachalla Ruga, who were killed alongside their followers.
According to him, no fewer than 100 bandits were neutralised in the encounter.
GIK/APA