Terrorists’ Days Numbered: Military operations rescue 47 hostages, seize arsenal
The Defence Headquarters issued a stern warning to terrorists and bandits, asserting that their time is running out following successful military operations carried out over the past week.
Defence Spokesman, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, declared, “The military will continue to deny the terrorists, insurgents and violent extremists the ability to achieve their selfish objectives. The war is on and their days are numbered, unless they surrender,” in a statement released on Friday in Abuja.
During the operations spanning the North West, North East, and North Central zones, the military reported eliminating 67 terrorists, capturing 190, and rescuing 47 kidnapped hostages.
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Maj.-Gen. Buba disclosed that troops recovered a total of 112 assorted weapons and 989 various ammunitions in the regions of the operations. The recovered arsenal included one GT3, 42 AK47 rifles, and 11 locally fabricated firearms.
Additionally, the military confiscated seven pump-action guns, one locally made double barrel, pistols, three dane guns, and two locally crafted pistols.
Ammunition recovered encompassed 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.
Furthermore, troops recovered 23 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones, five baofeng radios, four bicycles, along with assorted tools like cutlasses, axes, and a digital camera. Notably, a sum of N3.2 million was also seized.
In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai reported neutralizing 42 terrorists, arresting 15, and rescuing 10 kidnapped hostages.
The recovery included 41 AK4 rifles, two locally fabricated rifles, various ammunitions, motorcycles, mobile phones, and a sum of N2,200.
In the North Central, operations by troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke led to the elimination of seven terrorists, apprehension of 23 suspects, and rescue of 17 kidnapped hostages. Substantial quantities of arms, ammunition, and motorcycles were recovered in this region.
Lastly, in the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized five terrorists, arrested four, and rescued five kidnapped hostages.
Additionally, troops of Operation Whirl Punch reported neutralizing two terrorists, apprehending seven suspects, and rescuing two kidnapped hostages.
