Defence Headquarters has revealed that the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, killed 85 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) militants in just one month.
On Thursday in Abuja, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operation, revealed this while giving an update on military operations across the country between September 2 and September 30.
As a result of the volume of fire from artillery and air bombardment over the period, a total of 2,783 terrorists and their family members surrendered to the soldiers, according to Onyeuko, as part of the ongoing mass surrender by Boko Haram militants in Borno.
In the course of the numerous operations, 43 terrorists, including their collaborators and logistics providers, were captured, according to him.
According to him, the operations resulted in the recovery of 121 weapons, including SMGs, HK21 guns, AK-47 and locally-made rifles with magazines, 3,372 rounds of 7.62mm NATO/Special ammunition, locally made pistols, smooth body grenades, and RPG-7 bombs, as well as 3,372 rounds of 7.62mm NATO/Special ammunition, locally made pistols, smooth body grenades, and RPG-7 bombs.
He went on to say that the military also seized 12,250 bags of fertilizer, which may be used to make IEDs, and 178 rustled animals, among other things.
Troops had maintained the operational pace in land and air offensives against terrorists and other criminal elements in the country, according to Onyeuko.
According to him, dozens of ISWAP/BHT terrorists and their collaborators were neutralized in coordinated air strikes executed by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai on Sept. 26.
“This feat was achieved at Daban Masara, north of Lake Chad in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, from where the criminal elements launch attacks on own troops’ locations and innocent civilians in the area.
“Cumulatively, a total of 85 BHT/ISWAP terrorists were neutralized and 43 terrorists, including their collaborators and logistics suppliers, were arrested in the course of the various operations.
“Also, a total of 121 assorted weapons, including SMG, HK21 guns, AK-47 and locally-made rifles with magazines, 3,372 rounds of 7.62mm NATO/Special ammunition, locally-made pistols and smooth body grenades, RPG-7 bombs as well as 12,250 bags of fertilizers and 178 rustled livestock among several other items were recovered.
“Furthermore, a total of 2,783 terrorists and their families surrendered within the period under review,” he said.