Nigeria Defence Headquarters says a total of 4,770 terrorists comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children surrendered to Nigerian troops between June 1 and June 15 in North East.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said this during the bi-weekly news conference on the operations of armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai had intensified the tempo of their operations in the various locations across the North East Zone.
He said the operations led to the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of terrorists, arrest of terrorists’ members, recovery of arms and ammunition and other security related items.
Onyeuko said the troops of 152 Battalion had between June 17 and June 21 encountered fleeing Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province fighters at Buduwa in Bama Local Government Area of Borno and eliminated seven terrorists.
He added that 14 rustled cattle and three bicycles were recovered as well as apprehension of some terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers.
According to him, Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira along Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.
“Consequently, troops neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 11 and recovered 14 rustled cattle, 2 AK47 rifles, 3 bicycles, 2 locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 golf 2 car.
“Between June 1 and June 15, a total of 4,770 of Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprising 864 adult males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children surrendered to troops.
“All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State West Africa Province members and families were profiled and documented while all arrested and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further actions,” he said.
Nigeria has one of the highest terrorism threat levels in the world.
Despite a general decrease in terror-related deaths, the country recently recorded the ninth highest number of people who died in terrorist attacks worldwide, after Afghanistan.
Several militant groups are active in Nigeria, leading to attacks on both civilian and military targets.
Boko Haram is by far the deadliest, mostly active in the north of the country.
Certain deaths have also been attributed to Fulani extremists, while further violent outcomes have been characterizing conflicts among other herdsmen, farmers and ethnic groups.
