DHQ promises to wipe out terrorists, bandits in no time

The Defence Headquarters has issued a warning to terrorists and bandits that their end is near as the military foiled their plans in several operations within the last week.

“The military will not allow the terrorists, insurgents, and violent extremists to achieve their wicked objectives.

“The war is on, and they have no choice but to surrender,” Defence Spokesman Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba said in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said during the operations, 67 terrorists were killed, 190 captured, and 47 kidnapped hostages were freed.

The operations were carried out in the North West, North East, and North Central zones and inflicted heavy losses on terrorists, insurgents, and violent extremists.

Buba said troops seized 112 assorted weapons and 989 assorted ammunition across areas of the operations.

The ammunition, he said, included one GT3, 42 AK47s, and 11 locally made rifles.

He added that seven pump-action guns, one locally made double barrel pistol, three Dane guns, and two locally made pistols were also seized.

According to him, the ammunition seized included 342 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special, 190 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO, 34 rounds of 9mm, 74 live cartridges, 166 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, empty shells, and 27 magazines.

Buba added that 23 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones, five Boafeng radios, four bicycles, cutlasses, axes, a digital camera, and the sum of N3.2 million were seized.

Giving a breakdown of the operation in the North East, Buba said troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed 42 terrorists, arrested 15, and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages within the week.

He said that the troops seized 41 AK4s and two locally made rifles, 241 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 22 magazines, seven motorcycles, three mobile phones, one camel bag, one bicycle, and the sum of N2,200.

He added that in the North Central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke killed seven terrorists, arrested 23, and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.

The defence spokesman said various calibres of arms and ammunition, as well as motorcycles, among other items, were seized.

In the North West, Buba said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed five terrorists, arrested four, and rescued five kidnapped hostages.

He also said troops from Operation Whirl Punch killed two terrorists, arrested seven suspects, and rescued two kidnapped hostages.