Soldiers kill 869 terrorists, bandits, rescue 321 abductees

By Rukayat Mohammed

At least 869 members of Boko Haram terrorists and bandits have been killed in the third quarter of 2020 by Nigerian troops in different operations across the country.

Some 321 people abducted by the terrorists and bandits were rescued during the operations and 1,708 others were arrested.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen John Enenche, said in Abuja on Friday when he presented the third quarter scorecard of the military operations between July 1 and Sept. 30.

He reported that in the North West zone, a total of 3,829 livestock, 6,830 rounds of ammunition and 93 assorted rifles were recovered from the bandits.
At least 91 kidnapped victims were rescued and 312 armed bandits killed.

“In the same vein, a total of 391 arrests were made in the zone including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandit’s collaborators.’’

In the North-East zone, the epicentre of Boko Haram terrorist, he reported that 66 abductee were rescued by the troops of operation Lafiya Dole of the Nigerian Army.

“A total of 285 rounds of ammunition as well as 84 assorted rifles were recovered from the Boko Haram terrorists and fighters of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).’’

He said that 450 insurgents and terrorists including commanders were killed by the troops.

Ten gun trucks as well as 38 grenades were recovered and a total of 53 arrests were made including high value targets.

Enenche reported that troops of Operations Safe Haven, Whirl Stroke and Thunder Strike, rescued 116 kidnapped victims and killed a total of 107 armed bandits including militia gang leaders in the North-Central zone,

He added t 84 assorted rifles as well as 385 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the bandits and other criminal elements in the zone during the period.

According to him, a total of 1,136 criminals, including family members of the Darul Salam sect, were arrested within the period in the North-Central zone.

In the South-South zone, Enenche said the troops of Operation Delta Safe working with other security agencies, recorded tremendous successes against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes during the period.

He said the troops immobilised a total of 70 illegal refining sites, 66 dug out pits and 134 metal storage tanks within the period.

According to him, troops also, impounded a cumulative total of 26,772 barrels of stolen crude oil from oil thieves in the zone.

“Additionally, a total of 331,107) litres of product suspected to be stolen Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was recovered. Troops also impounded 263 drums of stolen PMS, a total of 18 kidnapped victims were rescued while 46 arrests were made.’’

He said that troops also arrested 46 pirates, 11 trucks and recovered 10 rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition this is in addition to 15 sea pirate camps that were destroyed.