The Defence Headquarters says the troops killed no fewer than 6,880 terrorists and other criminals and apprehended 6,970 others from January to December 2023.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said this while giving an update on the operations of the military in 2023 on Friday, December 29.

Buba said the troops also rescued 4,488 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 3,320 assorted weapons and 39,075 assorted ammunition in the year.

He added that the troops recovered 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 3.4 million litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 3.5 million litres of petrol within the year.

In the North-East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 1,759 terrorists, apprehended 953 suspects and rescued 826 hostages, while 11,015 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered.

He added that 259 AK47 rifles, mine FN rifles, 681 assorted arms, 7,097 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5,773 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 495,336 assorted ammunition, and 2,059 livestock were recovered by the military.

In the North-West, he said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji killed 1,522 terrorists, apprehended 645 suspects, and rescued 1,101 hostages.

Items recovered, according to him, were 53 AK47 rifles, 426 assorted arms, 2,342 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6,900 assorted ammunition, and 5,084 livestock.

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Buba added that the troops of Operation Whirl Punch in the North-West also neutralised 992 terrorists, arrested 345 suspects, and rescued 538 hostages in 2023.

The defence spokesman said the troops also recovered 34 AK47 rifles, 346 assorted arms, 4,792 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5,127 assorted ammunition, and 830 livestock.

He said: “Some of the features recorded by troops in the North-Central in Operation Safe Haven are 2,094 terrorists neutralised, 2,316 arrested and 630 hostages rescued.

“Items recovered are 78 AK47 rifles, 666 assorted arms, 4,772 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7357 assorted ammunition and 4,734 livestock.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised 977 terrorists, arrested 722, and rescued 571 hostages during the year.

“Items recovered were 45 AK47 rifles, 198 assorted arms, 952 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,666 assorted ammunition, and 338 livestock.”

In the South-South, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 448 criminals, arrested 1,090 oil thieves and other criminals and rescued 309 hostages.

Buba said: “Also, oil thieves were denied 100.3 million litres of crude oil, 60.3 million litres of AGO, 3.4 million litres of DPK, and 3.5 million litres of PMS.

“Additionally, troops recovered 321 assorted weapons and destroyed 1,016 wooden boats, 16 barges/vessels and destroyed 1,374 illegal refining sites.”

In the South-East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 464 terrorists, apprehended 907 suspects, and rescued 518  hostages.

He added that the troops recovered 65 AK47 rifles, 150 pump action guns, 53 Dane guns, 85 pistols, 684 assorted arms, 1,082 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4,371 live cartridges, 5,825 assorted ammunition, and 630 other equipment.

He said: “The security situation in 2023 has remained fluid, complex and dynamic with the threat morphing in form and scale.

“This unpredictable nature of the threat and the attendant demands for stability have continued to pose significant challenges for security forces.

“Consequently, various forces have continued to evolve tactics, techniques and procedures to professionally respond to these threats.

“The armed forces has been developing the desired enablers to overcome the country’s numerous threats.

“Notably, the application of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in collaboration with other services and security agencies has continued to shape the operating environment, in which we are in a dominant position.”

The Star