By Olaitan Ibrahim
Nigerian troops deployed for operations in different parts of the country have killed 92 terrorists, arrested 111 others, while they also rescued 75 kidnapped hostages rescued in the past week.
The troops also recovered a total of 117 assorted weapons and 2,939 rounds of ammunition. The recovered weapons included:58 AK47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated guns, 26 dane guns, seven pump action guns, and four PKT guns, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed during a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
Kangye stated that the troops also recovered two GPMGs, one QJC W85 gun, one HK 21 gun, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, two RPG tubes and one fabricated 60mm mortar.
“They also recovered 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other 8 assorted arms,” he said.
Kangye stated that troops also apprehended 18 individuals involved in oil theft and successfully foiled oil theft operations valued at approximately N521.8 million in the South-South region.
According to him, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,920 litres of PMS.
He added that the troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three tricycles, five motorcycles, two mobile phones and six vehicles among others.
In the North East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, recorded a total surrender of 101 terrorists comprising 11 adult males, 39 adult females and 51 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation during the week.
He said the troops neutralised 25 terrorists including a terrorists Commander Abba Alai (Amirul Khalid of Alafa), apprehended 14 and rescued seven kidnapped hostages.
“The gallant men and women of the armed force will continue to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations,” he said.