*Arrest 1,191 others
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday announced that the military has killed scores of “high profile” terrorists and apprehended 1,191 others across various theatres of operation in the second quarter of the year.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Marcus Kangye, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abuja, adding that the troops performed exceptionally well during the period under review.
He stated that several notorious terrorists were eliminated, including: Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, and Nwachi Eze, otherwise known as Onowu.
“Just two days ago, bandit kingpin Yellow Danbokkolo succumbed to injuries sustained during an encounter with troops the previous week, where many of his lieutenants were also eliminated,” he said.
The military, he said, equally arrested several notorious gunrunners and kidnappers, including: Buhari Umar, Hassam Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Adamu Dan Mai, Idi Yusuf, Hassan Bello, Muhammed Isah, Shimu Adamu, Ismaila Hassan, Michael, and Shittu Muazu.
Similarly, the troops rescued 543 kidnapped victims.
Gen. Kangye emphasised that the military has sustained operations against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements who have posed serious threat to national security and socio-economic activities.
He noted that the quarter under review also witnessed mass surrender of Boko Haram and ISWAP/JAS terrorists due to troops’ overwhelming firepower, with about 682 terrorists and their families surrendering to troops during the quarter.
The troops of Operation Delta Safe, he added, foiled oil theft worth over N3.5 billion, recovered over 10,000 litres of DPK, and 26,905 litres of PMS.
He expressed appreciation to the field commanders and their men for their determination and resolve.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the Military and all security agencies observed our Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations (ISO), Laws of Armed Conflict, and Rules of Engagement (ROE),” he stated.