The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that the Nigerian troops on internal operations killed a total of 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and rescued 721 kidnapped persons in August.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba added that the troops also killed several prominent terrorists in the North-East theatre.
Maj.-Gen. Buba named the neutralised terrorists commanders to include Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.
Others in the North-West include Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.
He further stated that troops in the period under review recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunition and recovered stolen products worth over N5 billion (N5,045,160,010.00) only.
Buba gave a breakdown of recovered weapons to include 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunition.
Others are 5,047,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS, amongst other items.
He stressed that the terrorists’ motivation “is getting lower and lower in the North-East”, which is leading to the mass surrendering among fighters.
The director said troops therefore aim at replicating same in other theatres of operation to bring peace and safety to the citizens.
“The military is on high alert and we have increased our readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression.
“We urge citizens to understand that this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation. It is certain that at the end, these terrorists will be destroyed and our nation will be safe and peaceful again,” he said.