By Editor
The Nigerian Army said it has, in continuation of the ongoing intensive clearance operations across the theatre of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), apprehended more terrorists of the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) group along with their family members, who have hitherto hibernated around the fringes of Sambisa forest but have now yielded to troops’ heavy artillery and air bombardments and surrendered to troops at Forward Operational Base (FOB) Banki Junction/BOCOBS in Bama, Borno State.
According a statement by Army headquarters, the terrorists who also surrendered several assorted weapons and incendiaries, comprised 19 male fighters, 19 adult females and 49 children from Njimia village and environs.
“The fire arms and incendiaries recovered from the terrorists include, 8 AK 47 rifles, 1General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 2 Fabrique Nationale (FN) Rifles, 1 Dane Gun, 1Makarov Pistol, 89 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 89 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 66 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 x 9mm rounds of ammunition, 2 Hand Grenades, 27 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2 FN Rifle magazines.
“Others are 1 pistol magazine, 1 x 60mm Mortar Bomb, 10 x14.5mm empty cases, 2 primed suicide vests, 72 trigger switches, 10 primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 5 Electric Detonating Chords, 6 packs of Water Gel Explosives, 6 Mobile Phones, 1 Camel Pack, 1 Cammoulage bag, 2 Hard drives, 1 Plier, 2 Unserviceable Hand held Radios, 2 Scissors, and needles, 2 Match boxes and the sum of Fifty Five Thousand Naira (N55,000:00) only.
“The terrorists and their families are currently undergoing comprehensive security profiling and preliminary investigations, while the children have been administered with oral polio vaccines,” the Army stated.
Impressed with the sustained offensive and clearance operations conducted in the theatre, The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya charged the troops to maintain the momentum of the operations.
In another development, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya charged troops of 8 Division and Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) to intensify their operations against terrorists (bandits) marauding in parts of North West, Nigeria.
The charge was given while addressing troops during his operational tour of 8 Division and its formations and units, on Wednesday, August 4, in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital.
Lt. Gen. Yahaya also commended the troops for their operational exploits in curtailing the activities of the criminals and urged them to promote synergy among the military and other security agencies, describing it, as a strategy that will speed up the end of banditry in the region.
The general also urged troops to be proactive and resilient in order to crush the terrorists (bandits) and expedite the restoration of normalcy to the affected states. He assured the troops that their welfare is uppermost in the agenda of his command.
He admonished them to ensure they conduct their operations in compliance with extant operational codes of conduct and regulations. “Troops must always show respect for the fundamental human rights of law abiding citizens in the conduct of their operations,” he added
Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Usman Yusuf in his brief, informed that troops’ anti banditry operations have been reinvigorated to expeditiously bring about peace and stability in the region.
Gen. Yahaya also paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Muhammad, where discussions were held on the security situation of the state and the North West in general.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of Nigerian Army’s memento to Gov. Muhammad.
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