The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Nigerian Army on internal operations across the country have killed 135 terrorists, arrested 182 others and rescued 140 hostages in one week.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who made this known in a statement on Friday, said the troops also arrested 15 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products valued at N731,448,262.00 within the period under review.
According to him, the troops recovered 97 assorted weapons and 3,117 assorted ammunition, adding that they have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terrorist groups.
Giving the breakdown of recovered weapons, Buba listed AK-47 rifles, one PKM MG, one FN rifle, 17 locally fabricated gun, 21 dane guns, 9 pump action guns, three locally fabricated pistols, three 36 hand grenade and one IED.
Others items recovered, he said were 1,087 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 840 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 402 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 88 rounds of 5.56mm, 33 rounds of 9mm x 99mm ball ammo, 90 live cartridges, 29 magazines, 15 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 6 bicycles, 43 mobile phones and the sum of N2,024,210.00 amongst other items.
In the Niger Delta, Buba said troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites containing 11 dugout pits, 29 boats, 24 drums, four receiver, seven reservoirs and 41 storage tanks.
Others, he said included 115 cooking ovens, 2 generators, 13 vehicles, and three pumping machines.
“The military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorist with many terrorist leaders killed,” Buba said.
Troops neutralize 135 terrorists, apprehend 182, rescue 140 in 1 week – DHQ