The Defence Headquarters on Thursday claimed that 4,770 terrorists comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children surrendered to the Nigerian troops between June 1 and June 15, in the North East.
This was revealed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko. He stated this at the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of armed forces in Abuja.
According to Onyeuko, the intensified operations of troops of Operation Hadin Kai, across the North East Zone, led to the rescuing of abducted persons, neutralising of terrorists, and arresting others.
He added that arms and ammunition and other security-related items were also recovered.
He said troops of 152 Battalion had between June 17 and June 21, met with fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province fighters at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno and eliminated seven of them.
He explained that one Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira on Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.
The troops also recovered 14 rustled cattle, two AK47 rifles, three bicycles, two locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one Golf 2 car.
“All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families were profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions,” he added.