By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Armed Forces have dealt a crushing blow to terrorists and insurgents across the country, eliminating hundreds and arresting hundreds more in a series of synchronized air and ground operations.
According to the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, on Saturday said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted targeted air strikes on terrorist enclaves in Borno State, killing over 70 extremists.
General Buba added that the ground forces also eliminated 169 terrorists and arrested 641 suspects.
“For instance, on 6 Nov 24, the Air component of Operation HADIN KAI, conducted targeted air strikes on terrorists located at KWALLARAM and ARAINNA CIKI islands in Borno state. The strikes resulted in the neutralisation of over 70 extremist members at KWALLARAM, with several more killed at ARAINNA CIKI.”
“Troops neutralised 169 and arrested 641 persons, also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Four Hundred and Two Million Nine Hundred and One Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,402,001,900.00) only.” the statement explained.
He further stated that, troops recovered significant caches of weapons and ammunition, including 106 AK47 rifles, 2,970 assorted ammunition, and other items.
The military also disrupted oil theft, recovering over N1.4 billion worth of stolen crude oil.
In the Niger Delta, he said troops destroyed 83 illegal refining sites, recovered 914,445 litres of stolen crude oil, and arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft.
The military’s intensified operations have severely depleted terrorist ranks, forcing them into desperate recruitment drives on social media.
General Buba assured that the Armed Forces remain committed to eliminating all threats to national security.
