Nigerian Military Neutralizes Three Terrorist Commanders, Rescues 27 Hostages

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that its troops have successfully neutralized three terrorist commanders and rescued 27 hostages in various operations across the country.

The military has been engaged in counter-terrorism operations in several regions, including the North East, North Central, and North West, as part of its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens.

The DHQ’s Director of Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, provided details of the operations during a press briefing on Thursday.

According to Buba, the troops have eliminated 99 terrorists, arrested 198 others, and rescued 139 hostages in the past week alone. The operations also led to the recovery of 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition.

The breakdown of recovered items includes one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 49 AK47 rifles, one Josef Magnum Pump Action gun, one double barrel gun, and two single barrel guns.

Additionally, the troops seized nine locally-made pistols, 13 Dane guns, one hand grenade, seven locally-made rifles, and two locally-made hand grenades.

In the North East, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested nine terrorists, and rescued three kidnapped hostages.

In the North Central, the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised three terrorists, apprehended 32, and rescued eight kidnapped victims.

The military also conducted a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Takum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Taraba and Benue States, respectively.

In the North West, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 20 terrorists, apprehended 20 terrorists, and rescued 83 kidnapped victims in different operations across Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

The air component of the operation conducted air interdiction on a targeted terrorist leaders’ enclave known as Lalbi Nagogo, which resulted in the destruction of several structures and the neutralization of several terrorists.

The recent successes of the Nigerian military in their counter-terrorism operations demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the Nigerian people.

The neutralization of three terrorist commanders and the rescue of 27 hostages is a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against terrorism in the country.