BY SALIU SALIU
TROOPS of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 20 police personnel abducted last Friday by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who stormed the Police station in Buni Yadi, Yobe state.
The feat was achieved in a counter-operation by the troops.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen Bernard Onyeuko, who disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja, also said that a total of 91 terrorists, bandits and kidnappers were neutralised during several offensives against them in parts of Borno, Adamawa and Zamfara states.
He, however, said some gallant officers and soldiers were also killed during the offensives.
Onyeuko stated, “On 3 December 2021, the troop’s repelled BHT/ISWAP terrorists’ attack in a fierce gun battle in Kala Balge LGA of Borno State. During the encounter, troops subdued the terrorist elements with superior firepower and neutralized no fewer than 26 of them.
“Troops also destroyed as well as captured several fighting equipment and vehicles of the terrorists. Regrettably, our gallant officers and soldiers paid the supreme prize. They are our heroes in the battle against terrorism. Other locations are; Gombi LGA of Adamawa State as well as Rann/Rumirgo villages and Biu, Bama, Mafa and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State where some terrorists surrendered to own troops.
“Cumulatively, a total 62 terrorist elements were neutralized and 28 of them were arrested, while 54 assorted arms and 144 rounds of the different calibre of ammunition were recovered.
“Also, a total of 101 rustled livestock were recovered and 20 kidnapped NPF personnel, who were abducted when the terrorists attacked the Police Division, were rescued by own troops at Buni Yadi within the period.”
He added, “Additionally, a total of 192 terrorists and their families comprising 51 adult males, 67 adult females and 74 children surrounded to own troops within the period. The surrendered terrorists were properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji on 2 December 2021, in a coordinated clearance operation carried out at Ruwan Dawa, Garin Maza and Marke Yamma villages in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, neutralized several armed bandits while arms and ammunition recovered.
“Other locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results are; Kungumi, Jangeme, Ungwuwar Dodo and along Dogo Karfe – Kaura Namoda road, all in Zamfara State.”
He said, cumulatively, 14 armed bandits were neutralised, while four of them were arrested along with their collaborators.
“Also, 17 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 625 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 43 rustled livestock were recovered; while 8 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
“Additionally, 54 extra magazines of assorted arms and 20 motorcycles were recovered from bandits,” he noted.
