The Defence Headquarters has said troops in various operations across the country killed no fewer than 23 terrorists and arrested 137 criminals.
The suspects include five kidnappers, 22 oil thieves, and one informant.
It also said 41 kidnapped Nigerians were rescued in the operations conducted between August 14 and 25.
A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, on Friday partly read, “Although the men and women of the armed forces are fighting and dying for the country every day, they have made great strides.
“The update on the operations across the six geopolitical zones as of August 25, 2023, reveals that the military neutralised 23 terrorists, arrested 109 criminals, five kidnappers, one informant, 22 suspected oil thefts, and rescued 41 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 231 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops.”
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI’s offensive operations led to the surrender of terrorists and their family members with one of the missing Chibok School girls among them. This occurred in Dikwa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the adult females is Mary Nkeki, a missing Chibok school girl in Ser No 55 Chibok Girls poster. The identified missing Chibok school girl was evacuated to 7 DMSH for further action.”
He further stated that troops recovered 41 weapons and 300 assorted kinds of ammunition.
“The breakdown of arms and ammunition is as follows: 14 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, two AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammo, one PKT gun, one LMG, 2 pump action guns, two locally fabricated pistols, three locally fabricated rifle, two dane guns, one pistol, and two locally made long barrel guns.
“Additionally, troops recovered are one AK47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 AK47 magazine, one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 239 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five rounds of 7.62 NATO, 44 rounds of PKT, five rounds of 9mm ammo and six cartridges.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 13 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machetes, and a pair of camouflage, “ the statement added.
He added that recovered over 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil in the South-South.
He said, “The operations in the South-South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following: 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 23,250 litres of DPK. All amounting to an estimated sum of N414,396.250 denied to the oil thieves.”
(PUNCH)
