By Victor Akaa, Abuja
Not fewer than 2 Notorious Boko Haram Terrorists / Islamic State West African Province (BHT/ISWAP) bomb experts have surrendered to the troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK),alongside 1,000 terrorists as well as their families in some parts of Borno state ,says Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
The repentant terrorists were compared to take the decision due to the ongoing heavy onslaught against them in their hideouts by the troops.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this Thursday during the bi- weekly briefing on the military in collaboration with other security agencies’ operational activities from July 29, to August 12, 2021 in Abuja.
He said the intensity of troops’ heavy ground artillery and air bombardment gave rise to the sundering of the.
According to him, among the ex- terrorist who surrendered to the troops at different locations in the North East were adult females and children within the last two weeks.
Acting Director noted that the intensity of these operations has yielded tremendous results as evidenced in the number of casualties and massive surrender of terrorists in Buni Yari, Gorgore, Baga and Monguno Towns as well as Maiduguri – Baga Road, Maiduguri – Damboa Road and Bula Yobe – Darel Jamel Road all in Borno State
Troops also carried out operations at Kayamri and Mairari villages as well as Monguno and Kukawa Towns, all in Borno State, he said.
“Cumulatively, the operations led to the neutralization of 27 BHT/ISWAP fighters, arrest of 51 BHT/ISWAP terrorists, 3 terrorists’ collaborators as well as recovery of 35 assorted arms and 1,051 round of ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, GPMG, PKT guns, 60mm mortar tubes, Makarov pistol and other machine guns, amongst other items,” he stated.
In addition these hauls, 29 abducted civilians were rescued within the period under review.
General Onyeuko noted that notable among the terrorists that surrendered “are the notorious BHT bomb expert named, Musa Adamu aka Mala Musa Abuja and his deputy, Usman Adamu aka Abu Darda,” adding that “this has in no small measure depleted the BHT fighting force.”
He said that the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on July 31 responded to distress calls from locals at Bagida village in Sokoto State; Shinkafi in Zamfara State , Maigora, Falale and Ungwan Dudu villages as well as Kankara – Katsina Road in Katsina State that were attacked.
He said the villagers were attacked by either cattle rustlers, kidnappers or armed bandits on their farms.
“In all incidents, troops repelled the criminals, rescued farmers and kidnapped victims as well as recovered arms, ammunition and some livestock, while some criminal elements were arrested, he said.
General Onyeuko stated that “cumulatively, a total of 89 livestock, 5 AK-47 rifles, 3 rounds of 9mm ball and 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition were recovered and 4 kidnap victims rescued.”
Also, 2 notorious cattle rustlers named, “Mallam Buda Umar from Niger Republic and Mai Hatsi Ibrahim from Gada LGA of Sokoto State as well as 4 armed bandits and drug peddlers were arrested”.
He said that between August 2 and 6 2021, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI, carried out intensive air strikes on bandits’ hideouts at the South of Dansadau Town; North of Kwiambana Forest Reserves as well as North of Sububu Forest and Dudufi village under Faru District in Maradun LGA, all in Zamfara State.
The air strikes, according to military high command resulted in the destruction of bandits’ structures including the residence of one of their leaders, Halilu Tubali, in which the armed bandits converged for a meeting.
The air strikes in conjunction with ground troops’ assaults also resulted in the neutralization of no fewer than 123 armed bandits and destruction of their logistics facilities.
In the South South zone Brig Gen Onyeuko said the military has continued to carry out several operations to curb illegal oil activities and deter economic saboteurs’ freedom of action in carrying out their nefarious activities.
He said troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted series of anti-illegal oil operations at Orutoru area in Bayelsa State; Olutoro and Adamakiri villages in Bonny LGA, Udeyeada Community in Andoni LGA of Rivers State; and Opuebubor Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta States in the South-South Zone within the period under review with tremendous successes recorded.
According to him, all the unprecedented feat achieved within the period was as a result of a strong collaboration of the sister services and other security agencies.
