122 ISWAP/JAS Fighters, Family Members Surrender To Troops In The East Within A Week

The Defence Headquarters says a total of 122 Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) fighters and their family members have surrendered to troops in the east in the past week.

It said troops also killed 192 terrorists, arrested 341 criminals, and rescued 62 kidnap victims in various theatres of operation across the country.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba announced this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja on Thursday, April 18.

He said troops recovered 349,970 litres of stolen crude oil and 112,135 litres of illegally refined diesel, 7,560 litres of kerosene and 13,000 litres of petrol in the Niger Delta region within the week under review.

The defence spokesperson said troops recovered 211 assorted weapons comprising 128 AK47 rifles, 26 dane guns among other items.

He said troops also recovered 6,288 assorted ammunition comprising 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, and 140 rounds of 9mm ammo among other items.

Buba said the military, through its operations, was continually “boxing in the terrorist” and dismantling their resupply routes.

He said: “The military is working decisively to kill the terrorists, dismantle their networks, and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens. It is for these reasons that the armed forces would continue to hunt the leadership of these terrorist groups everywhere across these theatres of operations.

“Being a professional force, due diligence by way of Intelligence, Surveillance, and recognition is painstakingly taken to distinguish the terrorist before air strikes are conducted. These air strikes have resulted in the death of several of these terrorist leaders and the cohorts hibernating in enclaves across the theatres of operation.

“It, therefore, should not be surprising, that these terrorists and their sympathizers plot to blackmail the military as a result of these airstrikes. The plot is to depict some casualties as innocent citizens rather than cohorts of these terrorists.

“It is therefore important for the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathizers. Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.”