Insecurity: We killed 2,403 Boko Haram Terrorists, Bandits in 2020 – says Military

The Nigerian Military on Thursday said it killed at least 2,403 terrorists, bandits and other criminals and arrested 1,910 of them across the country in the outgoing year 2020.

Maj. Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO), who said this in Abuja, while giving an update on the activities of the Armed Forces from 18th March to December 30th, said though the military lost some soldiers during the operations, troops successfully killed high profile criminals, bandits’ informants and terrorists collaborators and those arrested are at different levels of investigation and prosecution.

“This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes. across the Country”, the Coordinator said, while noting that the military is however not yet satisfied over the successes as there is still work to be done.

“We are not jubilating that about 3 battalions of criminals were killed because we are sure that more than that number are out there”, he said while calling on terrorists and other criminals to surrender to the military or suffer deadly defeat in the coming year.

The Coordinator further said troops also rescued a total of 864 kidnapped victims and recovered large cache of arms and ammunition within the period under review.

Enenche, while giving a breakdown of the operations said in the North-West zone, 6,951 rounds of ammunition and 120 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits, a total of 455 kidnapped victims were rescued and 473 armed bandits were killed in action.

“In the same vein, a total of 461 arrests were made in the Zone including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandit’s collaborators, while a total cash of N6,365,550 was recovered from armed bandits and their informants in the Zone”, he said.

In the North-East Zone, the coordinator said 200 kidnapped victims were rescued by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole and a total of 1,385 rounds of ammunition, 45 grenades as well as 95 assorted rifles were recovered from BHT/ISWAP fighters.

“In addition, several gun trucks were captured, while some others were destroyed during air strikes. Equally, 1,805 insurgents/terrorists including commanders were killed by the troops aside scores killed by air raids/attacks. Additionally, within the period, a total of 79 arrests were made including high value targets”, the Coordinator added.

In the North-Central Zone, Enenche said troops of Operations Safe Haven, Whirl Stroke and Thunder Strike arrested a total of 1,250 criminals including family members of the Darul Salam sect and killed 125 armed bandits including militia gang leaders.

The Coordinator further said a total of 46,581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22,881,257 litres of stolen PMS were recovered by the troops operating in the South-South zone, while a total of 9,684,797 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,000 litres of DPK were recovered.

“In the same vein, the gallant troops immobilized a total of 185 illegal refining sites, 85 dugout pits and 163 metal storage tanks within the period. Furthermore, a total of 4,250 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled smuggled rice were impounded and 45 boats engaged in illegal activities were arrested. Troops also arrested a total of 53 pirates and 25 trucks as well as recovered 23 rifles, 65,330 rounds of ammunition and destroyed 23 sea pirate camps”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator said in addition to the kinetic operations, the Armed Forces of Nigeria carried out non-kinetic operations in form of Civil Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC). According to him, a total of 92 boreholes were sunk for host communities and 16 schools and worship centres were renovated across the Country.

“Additionally, 16 clinics and dispensaries were constructed and donated, including buses to host communities” he said.

The Coordinator therefore conveyed the appreciation of the Military to the public for timely information and the soldiers for their gallantry, while also assuring Nigerians that the Military will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria.