…51,114 terrorists have so far surrendered to troops Onyeuko said
A notable Boko Haram commander, Saleh Mustapha, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in the Northeast as 51,114 terrorists have so far surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on the operations of the military between March 25 and April 7 on thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said the surrender of Mustapha popularly known as Inn Kathir, who was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba, to troops in Bama was significant.
He added that a total of 51,114 terrorists and families comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children had so far surrendered to troops as at April 5.
According to him, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
He said that in the last two weeks, troops recovered one battle tank, five artillery guns, two GTS and three AA guns. Others are: one Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, three gun trucks, One MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier and two RPG tubes.
“Other items recovered include three RPG rockets, three RPG bombs, one NSVT gun, two GPMG, one light MG, one PKM, three GPMG belts and four belts of PKT rounds.
“Also recovered are 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, one dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, one Golf saloon car, four motorcycles, six magazines, two pairs of camouflage, two terrorists flags, one tricycle and one active drone,” he said.
Onyeuko said the troops also neutralised scores of terrorists while 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists and three logistics suppliers were arrested with 30 civilians rescued during the period.
He said the air component conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depots between March 28 and March 31 at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram.
Relatedly, the Nigerian military has flagged off a special operation code named Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO (Operation Stop the Thief at Onne Port Harcourt aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta area.
Onyeuko said the Operation was launched to secure critical maritime infrastructure and to create enabling environment for the sustenance of desired level of hydrocarbon production, safe shipping and economic activities.
He added that objectives to restore investor confidence in Nigeria Maritime domain and troops in other theatres of operation especially in the Northeast, Northwest and South-South has not dimmed the light on the huge gains and success achieved by own troops in Be that is may, own troops would not relent on the arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.
General Onyeuko further assured Nigerians that despite recent setbacks, the military is more than ready secure the nation against criminal element.