Defence Headquarters says over 5,890 suspected terrorists have in the past weeks surrendered to troops in the North-East of Nigeria.
Director Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this on Thursday, adding that 900 of these terrorists surrendered on Wednesday.
Onyeuko also disclosed that a total of 565 suspected terrorists, who had been profiled, had been handed over to the Borno State Government.
The DHQ spokesman disclosed this in Abuja while giving an update on the operations of the military between August 12 and September 2, 2021.
According to him, “In the past few weeks, more than 5,890 terrorists comprising foot soldiers and their commanders have surrendered with their families to own troops in the North East Zone .
“A total of 565 BHT’s comprising 3 Commanders, 4 Amirs, 5 Nakibs and 5 cattle rustling specialists, out of the surrendered BHTs and their family members were handed over to the Borno State Government in Maiduguri for further management after thorough profiling. Yesterday 900 terrorists surrendered.
“Also, no fewer than 48 of the terrorists, 20 arrested including fighters and commanders were neutralized and their logistic base and facilities including 3 gun trucks were destroyed in the process.
“A cumulative total of 52 assorted arms and 1,977 rounds of 7.62mm assorted calibre ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles with magazines, hand grenades, commando mortar guns, locally fabricated rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, Dane guns and Nigerian Police rifles among other items were recovered from surrendered terrorists and operations within the period. “
Onyeuko further stated that a total of seven terrorists collaborators/informants and logistics suppliers were arrested and handed over to appropriate security agencies for prosecution.
He added that troops of operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West sustained their operations against the bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the region, stating that troops within the period arrested some informants/collaborators whose activities have been causing setbacks for troops’ operations.
The DHQ spokesman also disclosed that the troops neutralised a total of 15 bandits and two armed robbers, arrested 13 bandits’ informants and recovered 15 motorcycles as well as two AK-47 rifles.
He added that the troops also rescued 33 kidnap victims, arrested 66 criminal elements and recovered some vandalised railway tracks within the period.
Onyeuko stated, “The operations that led to the significant results were carried out at Gidan Zuma village under Kwatarkwashi District and Bakinwa in Gusau LGA; Matuzgi and Gora Namaye village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State; and along Gurbi – Shimfida Road in Jibia LGA of Katsina State. Other locations where significant results were recorded include; Magam village in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State, Faskari Town and Batsari/Ruma general area in Batsari LGA and Jibia Town in Jibia LGA of Katsina State. “