The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that in April, 216 terrorists were killed and 284 others were captured by forces participating in counter-insurgency and other internal security operations nationwide.
This was revealed at the monthly briefing on military activities across the country by Major-General Michael Onoja, Director, Defense Media activities.
In addition, the military destroyed two illicit refineries, collected 101,443 liters of petroleum products worth roughly N104 million, and released 188 kidnapped victims.
Onoja stated that current operations had continued to produce noteworthy results, pointing out that 10 terrorists had surrendered at separate theaters of operation and that troops had also collected 93 different types of weapons.
According to Onoja, Operation Hadin Kai maintained offensive operations throughout the states of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other terrorist organizations. He claims that troops in the Northeast helped nine militants and their families surrender, neutralized 136 terrorists, detained 114 suspects, and rescued 18 kidnapped victims.
He emphasized important operations, including as successful ambushes, the removal of terrorist camps, and the thwarting of coordinated attacks, especially in the states of Borno and Yobe.
Troops carried out operations in the states of Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara as part of Operation Fansan Yamma.
According to Onoja, North West operations resulted in the neutralization of 20 terrorists, the arrest of 32 suspects, and the rescue of 70 kidnapped victims.
He listed many successful raids on terrorist facilities and the release of kidnapped worshippers in Kaduna as significant accomplishments. In the North Central, Operation Savannah Shield resulted in the neutralization of twenty-one terrorists, the arrest of seventeen suspects, and the rescue of ten victims in the states of Kwara and Niger. In a similar vein, he noted that 18 terrorists were killed, 48 suspects were apprehended, and 53 abducted victims from the Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna states were freed as a result of Operation Enduring Peace.
In the states of Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa, Operation Whirl Stroke also reported 35 victims rescued, 40 suspects detained, and 14 terrorists slain.
In South-South operations, forces conducted Operation Delta Safe, which resulted in the arrest of 17 suspects, the destruction of illicit refining facilities, and the recovery of substantial amounts of petroleum products. During that time, he also noted, a number of abducted victims were also saved in the states of Edo and Delta.
According to Onoja, Operation Udo Ka resulted in the arrest of sixteen suspects, the neutralization of three terrorists, and the rescue of two victims in the South-East.
Additionally, he said, troops destroyed sites associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Nigeria
Currently held by General Olufemi Oluyede, who is Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, the Nigerian Armed Forces’ main military headquarters, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), is situated in the Armed Forces Complex on Muhammadu Buhari Way in Garki, Abuja. The body has a responsibility to deploy, sustain, and recover forces both domestically and abroad, it acts as the focal point for fostering collaboration between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
