In a decisive milestone for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, troops have neutralized 10,937 terrorists and apprehended 12,538 others within one year.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, noted that troops also rescued 7,063 hostages.
He disclosed that the frontline troops recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 ammunitions.
The DMO spoke during a briefing to mark the end of 2024 in Abuja.
According to him, over the last 12 months, troops were confronted by several threats across the country ranging from armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, crude oil theft, violent extremism, insurgency as well as terrorism among others.
He noted that several of these threats adversely affected innocent citizens and disrupted peace and security in the country.
According to General Buba, the troops effort was designed and crafted to defeat and destroy the terrorists as well as dismantle their terror infrastructure across the country.
“During the course of the year, troops eliminated over a thousand notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants among others,” he said.
Some of those eliminated in the year included Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mallam Saleh Umaru, Mohammed Amadu, Chinemerem (aka Bam Bam), Jeremiah Uzuoma (aka Escoba), Tochukwu Awo (aka Ojoto) and Egwuatu amongst others.
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“During the year, troops significantly degraded the military capabilities as well as the fighting capabilities of terrorists by neutralizing 10,937 terrorists, arresting 12,538, and rescuing 7,063 hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N68billion.
“The breakdown of the recoveries are as follows: 4,332 AK47 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 ammunitions. Others are: 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 items.”
Meanwhile, the armed forces assured that much of what was witnessed in the outgoing year is indicative of a major defeat of the terrorists in 2025. Importantly, troops on the battlefield are in high spirits, fully committed, devoted, and believe in the justness of the cause. Troops will be going the extra mile in the new year to get the job done.
“On the whole, the war is not for the armed forces alone, but for all citizens. The military therefore urges for more citizens’ support in order to win the war,” he said.
