The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said soldiers on counterterrorism and other security operations across the country killed 2,245 terrorists and arrested 3,682 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements in the second quarter of 2024.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, said troops rescued 1,993 abductees, recovered 2,783 weapons, 64,547 ammunition and denied crude oil theft estimated at over N10 billion.
Buba, at a media briefing on armed forces and security agencies operations conducted in the country, again, reiterated the resolve of the armed forces to destroy the terrorists and dismantle their military capabilities, in order for citizens to be safe. He said within the last three months, troops actively fought in different forms and retained operational flexibility, which gave us the ability to respond to different events and to project forces, according to strategic needs.
Gen. Buba, while noting that the military has greatly degraded the terrorists, even though they were still present in the theatres of operation, said it would take time and effort to completely destroy the terrorists, particularly as counter insurgency is akin to a marathon not a sprint.
“It is safe to say that the terrorists have prioritised their military capability over everything else. This is because, as our forces advance and clear areas in which these terrorists hibernate, we continue to recover weapons, explosives and IEDs which are indicative of the priorities of the terrorists. Nevertheless, we continue to wipe out the terrorists through synchronised ground and air operations”.
Giving an update on operations conducted during the second quarter of this year, Buba, said “troops neutralised 2,245 terrorists, arrested 3,682 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 1,993 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 2,783 weapons, 64,547 ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N10 billion only.
He said: “Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 1,169 AK47 rifles, 36,273 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14,764 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 713 assorted arms and 9,850 assorted ammo. Others are 9,225,149 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,874,916 litres of illegally refined AGO, 29,900 litres of DPK and 31,380 litres of PMS amongst other items.
“Troops operations are continually assessed in order to make adjustments in our actions, thereby amending our operations to increasingly ensure we minimise civilian casualties. Our operations are progressing according to plan as we abide by international laws governing armed conflict. Overall, we will do everything within the bounds of the law to make our nation safe for citizens. The military will keep up with the fighting spirit and maintain the stamina in the frontline. Our pride is to risk our lives, to save the lives of our citizens. This is what we do to secure our country”.
