Nigerian troops of the counter-terrorism Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested at least 79 terrorists and their collaborators in northeastern Nigeria in the past two weeks, Director of Defense Media Operations Musa Danmadami said in Abuja.
Speaking at the bi-weekly press briefing on the operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Danmadami said the troops also eliminated many terrorists in ground and air operations and rescued 14 abductees, including two schoolgirls from Chibok, during the same period.
He said the two Chibok schoolgirls, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki, were rescued with their children. They were rescued from Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area of the same state along with 12 other abductees.
The two young women were among 276 schoolgirls aged 12 to 19 abducted in 2014 from their boarding school in Chibok, northeast Nigeria.
Danmadami also said that the troops arrested 29 Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) logistics providers in different locations during the said period.
He added that the troops also apprehended a suspected ammunition technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State. He noted that six suspected informants and collaborators of terrorists, including a foreigner, were arrested at different locations.
“The troops also neutralized 19 terrorists, arrested 42 suspected logistic suppliers of terrorists and rescued three civilians,” he continued.
In addition, “a total of 418 terrorists, including their families, who claimed to have lost interest in Boko Haram’s ideology, surrendered to the army,” the defense spokesman said, noting that they were “44 adult males, 135 adult females and 239 children.”
All recovered items and arrested Boko Haram terrorists have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action, while surrendered terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action, Danmadami added.