The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised more than 30 terrorists and facilitated the return of more than 700 Nigerian refugees within one week, as operations intensified across the North East of Nigeria.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said while providing updates on military operations across the country in the last one week that the successes followed aggressive, intelligence-driven operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS elements, conducted jointly with air assets and local security groups.

He said that on Jan. 30, troops conducting clearance operations in the Timbuktu Triangle around Kimba in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State in northeast of Nigeria, neutralised more than 20 terrorists, including a notorious commander identified as Julaibib.

Onoja stated that similar engagements in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state and operations in Hong and Mubi North Local Government Areas of Adamawa state.

According to him, the operations led to further neutralisations, arrests of kidnappers, rescue of abductees and recovery of weapons and equipment.

“Troops also uncovered and destroyed three major terrorist detention facilities along the Damboa–Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, capable of holding about 300 captives each, rescuing 70 victims during the operation.

“In the same period, the second batch of about 700 Nigerian refugees were successfully repatriated from Cameroon through the Banki border in Bama LGA of Borno state, with adequate security provided throughout the exercise,” he said.

Onoja said that sustained operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States also led to the arrest of logistics suppliers, recovery of arms and ammunition, while air interdiction missions destroyed five suspected VBIEDs along the Marguna road in Kaga LGA of Borno state.

He said that the operations had continued to degrade terrorist networks and improve security conditions for safe resettlement in the region.

GIK/APA