NAF airstrikes kill over 100 terrorists in Niger, Zamfara

More than one hundred terrorists were taken out by troops during air interdictions that were carried out on the border between the states of Niger and Zamfara, according to information that was revealed by the Defense Headquarters.

This information was made public on Thursday in Abuja by the head of Defense Media activities, Major General Edward Buba.

Buba was providing an update on military activities that had taken place across the country over the past week.

He illustrated his point by displaying photographs of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) air interdictions and stating that the operations were responsible for the decimation of a large number of militants in other regions of the country.

Buba reported that the military conducted a targeted operation at the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger and made a number of arrests and discoveries throughout the course of the operation.

He stated that previous operations carried out by forces in several theaters throughout the last week had resulted in the elimination of 73 terrorists and the arrest of 182 others.

According to him, the military personnel also freed 68 captives in the South-South region, detained 14 people accused of stealing oil, and prevented oil thieves from making an estimated N1.212 billion from their illegal activity.

In addition, the troops were able to retrieve 119 different types of weapons and 1,537 different types of ammunition. The inventory is comprised of the following items in the following distribution: one GPMG, three PKT guns, 39 AK-47 rifles, five locally constructed rifles, one locally created double-barrel gun, one Bereta pistol, four locally made pistols, five RPG bombs, and five pump-action weapons.

One short gun, one hand grenade, two Dane guns, one AK-47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one locally produced handgun loaded with live cartridges were also found.

“Others include 586 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a bag holding 287 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 389 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 141 rounds of 7.62mm special (belted) ammunition, and 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

“Also recovered are 113 rounds of live cartridges, 25 empty magazines, 13 vehicles, three motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, two HH radios, one Boafeng radio, and the sum of N3.3 million,” he said. “Among the other items recovered are also the sum of N3.3 million.”

Buba reported that the forces of Operation Hadin Kai had neutralized 39 Boko Haram/ISWAP militants in the North East, detained 22, rescued 18 hostages, and collected a big cache of weapons.

He went on to say that the forces involved in Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke had been successful in eliminating 12 terrorists, arresting 109 others, freeing 22 hostages who had been kidnapped, and recovering many weapons and ammunition.