The Director, Defense Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko has announced the arrest and rescue of family members of terrorists in Borno State over the past two weeks.
Onyeuko made the claims during a press briefing at the defence headquarters in Abuja earlier today, adding that the Nigerian military has eliminated 14 terrorists and arrested 15 others.
The feat was said to have been achieved following military’s operations across the northeast region between May 19 and June 2, 2022.
READ: Boko Haram Kills 32 Borno Metal Hawkers
Recounting encounters with the terrorists, he noted that men of the Nigerian army in collaboration with the Civilian Task Force had a serious counterterrorism figh with the terrorists on May 22 around the Amdaga, Balazola, Ndakaine, Jango, Sabah and Gobara in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
He added that troops on patrol in Ashigashiya, Kodele, and Apagaluwa in Gwoza local government encountered terrorist herders, who engaged the former in a fierce gun battle.
“The terrorists fled due to the troops’ superior firepower, while troops recovered 40 sheep. Furthermore, on May 31, troops repelled an attack by terrorists, at Firm Base Arege, in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists, while others fled in disarray, Onyeuko said.
He added: “Cumulatively, troops recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, five AK-56 rifles, two FN rifles, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven AK 47 magazines and one PKM gun.
“Also recovered are one AA gun, 164 rounds of AA ammunition, 111 Shilka ammunition, one gun truck, one Shilka barrel, two dane guns, two Improvised Explosive Devices, one car engine, four trollies and one water pump machine.”
According to him, “troops also rescued 100 family members of terrorists, who included 33 women.
“Accordingly, all arrested, rescued family members of terrorists and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.
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The defence’s spokesperson reiterated that there are success records in the fight against terrorism in the country. However, Borno State has been the flashpoint of insurgency in Nigeria since its inception in 2009 with over 35,000 deaths recorded between 2011 to 2022 and a high rate of property destruction to date.
Recall that WikkiTimes reported how the insurgents killed 32 youths at the deserted Mudu village of Dikwa local government while buying used and worn-out metals and iron.
