It has been reported that around 70 terrorists of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) were eliminated when the airstrikes hit their targets in Borno State. In a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated the airstrikes operated on 6 Nov 24, targeting ISWAP terrorists’ sites at Kwallaram and Arainna Ciki Islands in Borno State.
Maj.-Gen. Buba stated the strikes resulted in the elimination of over 70 extremist members at Kwallaram, with several more killed at Arainna Ciki. The Director expressed that troops within the week killed 169 terrorists and captured 641 others while the Nigerian troops rescued 181 hostages. He highlighted that troops apprehended 40 suspected oil thieves and recovered looted crude worth N1,402,001,900.00.
The Director of Defence Media Operations said troops recovered 192 various weapons and 2,970 assorted ammunition. It included 106 AK-47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane firearms, one FN rifle, three simulated revolver pistols, 11 locally made pistols, five pump-action firearms, one dummy AK-47 rifle, one unexploded RPG bomb, two Baofeng radios, 7 automobiles, 29 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones, and the totality of N729,000.00 only, amongst other items.
Others include 1,410 bands of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,074 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 67 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 130 rounds of 108mm, 101 rounds of 9mm ammo, and 146 live rounds. Meanwhile, soldiers in the Niger Delta area discovered and eliminated 83 illegal refining sites, 20 crude oil cooking cookers, two dugout holes, 42 boats, seven reservoirs, five drums, and 50 warehouse tanks.
Buba stated that troops’ operations have severely weakened the ranks and files of the terrorists.
“Consequently, the terrorists are forced into a desperate recruitment drive on social media, particularly the ISWAP terrorist group,”
emphasising that
“Troops will sustain the offensives to eliminate all threats.”.
