From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 4,770, members of the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists group have, so far, surrendered to soldiers in the last one month.
The surrendered terrorists, comprising 864 males, 1,415 women and 2,490 children surrendered to soldiers fighting the counter insurgency war between June 1-15, at various locations in the theatre.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Bernard Onyeuko, who made the the disclosure, said the soldiers killed over 100 terrorists, rescued kidnapped victims and recovered over three million litres of stolen crude.
Onyeuko, at a media briefing on update of military operations conducted between June 16-30, said troops on anti-illegal bunkering, oil theft and other sundry operations at various parts of the Niger Delta recovered several wooden boats, storage tanks and dugout pits laden with illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil.
He said 26 oil thieves were arrested, while 29 vehicles, 68 wooden boats and nine speed boats, amongst other equipment were impounded by the troops.
Gen Onyeuko further stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces, working in conjunction with the police and various security agencies, have continued to carry out clearance operations at various criminal hideouts, destroyed several terrorists camps and arrested several bandits, kidnappers, terrorists, oil thieves and other criminals terrorising the peace of the country.
He added that 14 rustled cattle and three bicycles were recovered as well as apprehension of some terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers.
He said Mallam Abacha Usman was arrested at Benshek, Mallam Ibrahim Gira on Damboa – Biu Road and Mallam Ibrahim Gira a notorious terrorist petroleum supplier.
He said that troops neutralised 11 terrorists, arrested 11 and recovered 14 rustled cattle, two AK47 rifles, three bicycles, two locally made guns, 90 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Golf 2 car.
“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.