Many terrorists killed in fortnight counterinsurgency operations -Defence Hq

Director of Defence Media Operations, Mahor-General Musa Danmadami, says no fewer than 57 terrorists were neutralised by troops Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

Danmadami said the different operations were conducted from August 11 to 25 in the North-East.

The military spokesman made this known at a bi-weekly news briefing of the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja.

He noted that the operations were conducted through land and air raids on the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclaves in Borno and Yobe.

The operation also led to the killing of unspecified number of terrorists in a number of airstrikes, with more than 18 of them seriously wounded.

He added that eight suspected terrorists and four terrorists’ logistic suppliers were apprehended as well as rescue of four civilian victims during the period.

According to him, a total of 1,652 BHT members and their families, comprising 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the period.

“The air component on August 20, carried out strikes on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns in Borno with various degree of success recorded.

“Acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top-ranking commander.

“He is believed to be the ISWAP leader of Sambisa Forest who took over the leadership after the demise of Abubakar Shekau.

“Consequently, the air strikes were carried out on the enclave. Feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded.

“Among those neutralised was a high-profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure.

“Similar air strikes were conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists.

“Reports revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralised in the strikes.

“All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to  relevant authorities while the surrendered Boko Haram terrorist members and their families were profiled for further action,” he said.