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Nigeria’s defence spokesman claims troops killed 1,166 suspected terrorists in four weeks
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) claimed on Thursday troops deployed to various theatres of operation killed 1,166 suspected terrorists in 29 days across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, stated this while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces in Abuja.
He said the troops arrested 1,096 criminal suspects and rescued 721 hostages during the period.
The spokesman added that the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 Dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo in the operations.
Other recovered items are 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.
Buba said several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of military onslaughts on their territories.
He said: “Those in the North-East are Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.
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“For the North-West we have Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.
“Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorists the ability to carry out major offensives.
“The situations experienced mostly these days are low-level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.
“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.
“Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.
“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.”
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