Military eliminates 6880 terrorists, criminals, apprehends 6970 in 2023 – DHQ

According to the Defence Headquarters, the military has killed 6,880 terrorists and other criminals and apprehended 6,970 others since January.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media activities, stated this on Friday in Abuja while providing an update on military activities in 2023.

During the year, the military rescued 4,488 kidnapped hostages, recovered 3,320 miscellaneous weapons, and collected 39,075 assorted ammo, according to Buba.

He further stated that during the year, troops retrieved 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK, and 3.5 million litres of PMS.

Buba stated that forces from Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 1,759 terrorists, detained 953 suspects, and liberated 826 captives in the North East, while 11,015 BH/ISWAP militants and their families surrendered.

259 AK47 weapons, mine FN rifles, 681 other guns, 7,097 rounds of 7.62mm special munitions, 5,773 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 495,336 rounds of varied ammunition, and 2,059 cattle were recovered, according to him.

He claimed that in the North West, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji killed 1,522 terrorists, captured 645 suspects, and rescued 1,101 hostages.

According to him, the items recovered include 53 AK47 weapons, 426 various guns, 2,342 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6,900 rounds of assorted ammunition, and 5,084 sheep.

During the year, forces from Operation Whirl Punch in the North West also killed 992 terrorists, detained 345 suspects, and rescued 538 captives, according to Buba.

He also stated that the military recovered 34 AK47 weapons, 346 mixed guns, 4,792 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 5,127 rounds of assorted ammunition, and 830 cattle.

“During Operation Safe Haven, troops in the North Central documented 2,094 terrorists neutralised, 2,316 apprehended, and 630 hostages rescued.”

“Among the recovered items are 78 AK47 weapons, 666 various guns, 4,772 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 7357 rounds of assorted ammunition, and 4,734 cattle.”

“During the year, Operation Whirl Stroke troops neutralised 977 terrorists, detained 722, and rescued 571 hostages.”

“45 AK47 weapons, 198 various armaments, 952 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,666 assorted ammo, and 338 cattle were recovered,” he stated.

The forces of Operation Delta Safe in the South, according to a defence spokeswoman, neutralised 448 offenders, captured 1,090 oil thieves and other criminals, and rescued 309 hostages.

“In addition, 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK, and 3.5 million litres of PMS were denied to oil thieves.”

“In addition, forces recovered 321 different types of weaponry, destroyed 1,016 wooden boats, 16 barges/vessels, and demolished 1,374 illicit refining sites,” he added.

Buba stated that in the South East, forces from Operation UDO KA killed 464 terrorists, detained 907 suspects, and rescued 518 captives.

He went on to say that the troops found 65 AK47 rifles, 150 pump action guns, 53 Dane guns, 85 pistols, 684 other arms, 1,082 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4,371 live cartridges, 5,825 mixed ammo, and 630 other goods.

According to him, the security situation in 2023 is fluid, multifaceted, and dynamic, with the threat changing in form and size.

“The unexpected nature of the danger, as well as the associated demands for stability, has posed enormous hurdles for security forces.”

“As a result, diverse forces have continued to build strategies, techniques, and procedures to respond to these threats in a professional manner.”

“The armed forces have been working hard to develop the necessary enablers to combat the country’s myriad challenges.”

“Notably, the use of kinetic and non-kinetic activities in partnership with other services and security agencies has continued to shape the operating environment in which we are dominant,” he said.