The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of Nigeria has reported significant progress in its ongoing counter-insurgency and security operations across the country. Over a one-week period, soldiers killed 108 terrorists and rescued 214 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 204 suspected terrorists and criminal elements were arrested, and a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition was recovered.
According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, a total of 622 terrorists, including 90 adult males, 182 adult females, and 350 children, surrendered to the troops between July 31 and August 6, 2024. During the same period, 52 Boko Haram (BH), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fighters, along with their families, surrendered in Bama, Gwoza, and Kaga Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State.
The troops also conducted successful operations in various regions:
- North East: Under Operation Hadin Kai, 47 terrorists were neutralized, 18 suspects were arrested, and 130 hostages were rescued. An air interdiction on August 2 targeted a newly discovered BH/ISWAP hideout and IED factory in the Mandara Mountains, resulting in the elimination of several terrorists and the destruction of their logistics and factory.
- North Central: Troops from Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized 13 insurgents, arrested 57 violent extremists, and rescued 36 hostages.
- North West: Under Operation Hadarin Daji, 15 terrorists were neutralized, 22 were arrested, and 27 hostages were rescued across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. The air component conducted successful strikes in Katsina, destroying terrorist hideouts and logistics.
- Operation Whirl Punch: In Kaduna, Niger, and Kogi States, eight terrorists were neutralized, 22 suspects were arrested, and 12 hostages were rescued. An airstrike in Kaduna’s Giwa LGA eliminated several terrorists and destroyed a key terrorist camp.
- South-South: Troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered over 1 million liters of stolen crude oil and other illegal petroleum products. They also destroyed numerous illegal refining sites and arrested 32 suspected oil thieves.
- South East: Under Operation UDO KA, five terrorists were neutralized, 12 violent extremists were arrested, and four hostages were rescued.
All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
