The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that a total of 743 terrorists and members of their families, comprising 42 adult males, 251 adult females and 452 children surrendered to troops at different locations in North East zone of the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations DMO Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this on Thursday In Abuja at a press briefing on the activities of military between June 1 and 15 , 2023.
He said troops neutralized 20 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist, captured 7 suspected terrorists, apprehended 40 suspected terrorists logistics suppliers and 15 notorious criminal gang members.
According to him, “within the weeks in review, troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 1 G3 rifle, 6 dane guns, 1 FN rifle, 1 pistol, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 2 locally made grenades, 1 RPG tube, 1 pump action gun, 547 rounds of 7.62mm special, 75 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 46 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 10 empty cases of 12.7mm ammunitions.”
Troops also recovered from terrorists operating in the North East zone assorted food stuff, “12 sacks of substances suspected to be cannabis and the sum of Eleven Million Forty Six Thousand and Ten Naira (N11,046,010.00) only.”
In North central zone troops of operations SAFE HAVEN within the period conducted operational activities at villages and communities of Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Following a tip off on June 10, troops arrested a suspected gun runner at Gindri junction in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and recovered 3 fabricated revolver guns, 1 fabricated AK47 rifle, 1 AK47 magazine and other sundry items.
According to the Defence Headquarters, within the weeks in focus, troops operating in the zone recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 1 SMG rifle, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 11 dane guns, 4 fabricated revolver guns, 1 G3 rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 32 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 20 rounds of 9mm ammo, 3 AK47 magazines and 2 daggers.
Other items recovered include 4 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 2 gas cylinders, 4 cutlasses, 5 mobile phones and 114 rustled cattle. Troops also neutralized 4 bandits, arrested 86 suspected criminals and rescued 9 kidnapped civilians.
Similar offensive operations in North West Zone were carried out in area such as Shamushalle forest in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State where several terrorists’ camps and hideouts were identified.
Troops on fighting patrol also made contact with terrorists at Maidaro village in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The spokesman said that following the fight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 192 rounds of 7.62mm special, 74 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 5 dane guns, 1 PKT Gun, 9 AK47 magazines, 3 IEDs, 3 boafeng radios and other sundry items.