The Defence headquarters said on Tuesday, December 31st 2024 that combined ground, sea and air forces prosecuting the war against insecurity in the country, neutralised a total of 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538 others and rescued 7,063 kidnapped hostages.
It noted that the offensive which took place from January till date resulted in troops significantly degrading the military capabilities as well as the fighting capabilities of terrorists.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba while making this known, said, “During the course of the year, troops eliminated over a thousand notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants among others.
“Troops denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of over #68 billion (N68,453,376,040.00). Troops also destroyed 2,612 illegal refining sites and 2,019 wooden boats used for siphoning crude oil. Troops recovered 56,223,002 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,735,836 litres of illegally refined AGO, 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS amongst other item.
Major General Buba said that during gunfights that ensued, troops recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunition comprising 4,332 AK-47 rifles, 1,244 locally fabricated guns, 838 dane guns, 259 pump action guns, 128,496 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 45,445 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 5,103 cartridges, 2,131 assorted arms and 29,176 assorted ammunition.
Detailing the operations, the DMO said, “Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West, in the course of the year neutralized 2,906 terrorists, arrested 1,826 suspects and rescued 2,616 kidnap hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 1,450 AK-47 rifles, 477 fabricated guns, 576 assorted arms, 31,999 rounds of 7.62mm special, 14,960 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 6,564 assorted ammunition.
“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji continued all through the year to create a conducive and stable security environment for agricultural activities and other forms of socio-economic activities in Kaduna, Karsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara State in the NW as well as Niger State in the NC Zone.
Troops activities instigated rival clash among the terrorist groups leading to the death of several terrorist commander in battle for supremacy of rival groups.
“Also, the synergy between the security agencies and intelligence agencies further resulted to the neutralization of several terrorists kingpins including: Isiya Boderi, Alhaji Mubale, Baban Yara, Alhaji Kabiru, Lawali Gudau aka Damina, Buhari Alhaji Halidu aka Buharin Yadi, Nagala Jabbi, Audu Kalwa, Muhammad Sani aka Peter, Dan Hajiya, Ga’aye, Akwanga, Bala Gurgu, Yellow, Kucheri and Babban Mutum amongst others.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 600 terrorists, arrested 1,006 suspects and rescued 688 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 295 AK-47 rifles, 315 assorted arms, 13,055 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,849 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,279 rounds of assorted ammunition.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, neutralized 3151 terrorists, BHT/Families 16,171 BH terrorists and their families surrendered, 2,503 terrorists were arrested, while 1,605 kidnapped hostages were rescued, 3,002 weapons were recovered as well as 71,537 ammunition.
“Indeed, offensive operations were conducted to known terrorist safe haven such as the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle as well as the Tunbums along the Lake Chad Basin. Several terrorist leaders, combatants and the families surrendered as a result of the intensity of troops operations.
“The operations saw to the neutralization of several BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists commanders including: Amir Garin Manzo, Hussaini Ardo, Abu Mhammed, Buba Kachalla Bukar, Abu Rijab, Ali Modu, Munzur Ya Audu, Abdullahi Maishayi, Abba Tukur, Abu Sule, Ari Gana, Mallam Mohamadu, Jibrila Ahmadu and Saidu Hassan Yellow amongst others.
“Troops recovered 1,802 AK-47 rifles, 446 fabricated rifles, 438 dane guns, 378 assorted arms, 42,439 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16,336 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 12,429 assorted ammunition.
