Nigerian Military Forces Report Success in Anti-Terrorist Operations
In the last one week, the Nigerian military has made significant gains in its fight against terrorism, according to the Defence Headquarters. The Armed Forces have eliminated 165 terrorists, apprehended 238 others, and rescued 188 kidnapped hostages in various operations across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces in Abuja. He also announced that the military recovered over 2,000 assorted ammunitions, including 81 AK-47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, 27 Daneguns, and 30 AK-47 magazines, as well as over 1,500 rounds of 7.62 millimeter special ammunition and 270 rounds of 7.62 millimeter NATO ammunition.
According to Buba, the North East has seen the most significant progress, with 83 terrorists neutralized, 56 apprehended, and 50 kidnapped hostages rescued. Additionally, 74 terrorists, comprising 22 adult males, 28 adult females, and 24 children, surrendered to the troops between October 2 and October 8.
In the North Central and North West regions, the military reported similar successes, with the neutralization of 19 violent extremists, the arrest of 56 violent extremists, and the rescue of 69 kidnapped hostages in the North Central, and the neutralization of 47 terrorists, the apprehension of 67, and the rescue of 47 kidnapped hostages in the North West.
The air component of the operations also saw the conduct of air interdiction operations in the Tsafe area of Zamfara, killing several terrorists hibernating at the location, and a similar operation conducted on October 4, targeting a terrorist hideout in Bayan Ruwa, Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara.
The military has also been reassessing its operations in certain areas to better secure and protect citizens, and has cautioned against threats or inflammatory comments on troop presence or deployment.
“It’s the outcome of such an act that are better imagined than experienced,” Buba warned, urging citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with the military’s efforts to maintain peace and security across the country.
As the military continues to work on new strategies to better protect the nation and its citizens, it is clear that the Nigerian military is making significant progress in its fight against terrorism.
