Troops in different theaters of operation across Nigeria killed no fewer than 974 terrorists while 1,157 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists surrendered to the military in February.
Gatekeepers News reports that Defence Headquarters in Abuja disclosed this on Thursday, adding that 466 hostages were freed from terrorists’ captivity in the month under review.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, DHQ, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who gave the figures during a briefing on the military’s activities across the different theatres of operation in the country, also said 8.9 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.06 million litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 18,950 litres of dual-purpose kerosene and 45,950 litres of Premium Motor Spirits, among other items, were also recovered within the same period.
Buba said the troops recovered 1,573 assorted weapons, 23,345 assorted arms and ammunition within the month.
He listed the recovered weapons to include 640 AK-47 rifles, 248 locally-fabricated guns, 93 pump-action guns, 168 Dane guns, 15,120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,102 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 512 rounds of 9mm and 2,132 live cartridges.
In the northeast, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 242 terrorists, arrested 57 suspected terrorists, and rescued 42 hostages during the period.
Buba said 1,157 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to troops in the month.
He said the troops recovered 198 AK-47 rifles, 61 fabricated, 30 Dane guns, 45 assorted arms, 3,692 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,854 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 339 rounds of ammunition during the period.
In the North-Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven killed 31 terrorists, apprehended 187 suspects and rescued 19 hostages as well as a cache of arms.
He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke eliminated 100 terrorists, apprehended 67 suspects and rescued 53 hostages during the month.
In the North-West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 345 terrorists, apprehended 80 suspects and rescued 289 hostages in the month.
He said the troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 150 terrorists, apprehended 161 suspects, rescued 44 hostages and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition.
In the South-South, Buba said troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 359 suspected oil thieves and impounded 8.9 million litres of crude oil, 1.06 million litres of AGO, 18,950 litres of DPK and 45,940 litres of PMS.
He added that the troops also recovered 79 assorted weapons and destroyed 316 wooden boats, 3,859 rounds of ammunition and 246 illegal refining sites within the month.
In the South-East, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 106 terrorists, apprehended 69 suspects and rescued 19 hostages.
