The Defence Headquarters has announced that its troops killed 1,937 terrorists in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 among them were 65 terrorist leaders.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General, Edward Buba made this known while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Buba said its troops from July to September, arrested 2,782 suspects and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages.
The military identified some of the deceased terrorist leaders and commanders as Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko and Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir.
Others are Kachalla Dan Baleri, Kachallah Halilu (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya and Emmanuel Igwe among several others.
He also revealed that troops recovered 1,304 weapons, and 43,347 ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of over N13bn.
The statement said, “Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO among others.
“Others are 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst other items.”
Giving a breakdown of its operation, Buba said troops of OP HADIN ΚΑΙ killed 792 terrorists, arrested 606 suspects and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages.
Also, the military said it recorded a total of 7,283 surrendered terrorist combatants and their families.
He noted that its troops recovered 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles 9,653 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3,147 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among others.
Buba said, “Troops of Operation UDO ΚΑ neutralised 93 terrorists, arrested 240 suspects and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 47 pump action guns, and 384 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 180 combatants, arrested 354 IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued 148 kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 28 AK47 rifles, 44 pump action guns, 58 assorted arms, 3,456 rounds of 7.62mm special, among others.
“Troops arrested high profile members of IPOB/ESN such as one Mr Onwuha Onyebuchi at Agwu LGA of Enugu State. He and several others are assisting in the ongoing investigation.
“Troops also neutralised and arrested notorious extremists, gunrunners as well as kidnappers.
“These include Ofem Emmanuel, Ejim Anthony Wisdom, Ogonna Igwe, Joseph Ugochukwu Alli, Chika Opko, Sunday Okpo and Nnenna Nkole.
“Troops also conducted a raid on notorious gunrunner and weapon fabricator’s house identified as Chief Solomon. He is also known as Ogbuefi at Ebum Eburutu in Abi LGA in Cross River State.
“General Buba stressed that the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country prioritised the killing of terrorist leadership and the destruction of terror infrastructure.
“Accordingly, troops are effectively attacking terrorist leaders, commanders, combatants, as well as their rank-and-file operatives.
“All through the stretch of the third quarter of the year, synchronised bombardment by air and ground forces significantly diminished terrorist military capabilities and network.
“On the whole, troops are keeping pressure on terrorists until they are totally defeated. We are focussed on destroying both their military capability as well as their will to fight the terrorists. Lastly, we are attacking any threat we identify, and removing it.”
“It is in this context that the program of events has been designed to remind us about our strength when we stay united, our progress despite the challenges, the beauty of our diversity, the quantum leap this administration has taken within the short period in office and the beacon of a better future for all, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”