The Theatre Commander, North East Nigeria’s Joint Task Force “Operation Hadin kai”, Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, has said thst 14,609 out of the 70,593 insurgents who surrendered to troops are combatant’s.
This is just as he disclosed that over 60 terrorists were neutralized in several operations and gunfights embarked upon by troops in the last one month noting the the operations involved Land, Sea and Air Assualts.
Major Gen. Musa stated this on Friday in Maiduguri when he addressed newsmen on recent successes recorded by the command under “Operation Desert Sanity” and “Operation Lake Sanity”.
He said, “Out of this number, 14,609 were active male fighters, 20,955 are women while 35,029 are children.
“The Theatre in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, has commenced reviews of cases of detainees at the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC).
“Some of the detainees have been cleared and handed over to the Borno Government and UNICEF.”
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Emphasizing that within the past one month the military have conducted several operations on land, maritime and air, where over 60 terrorists were neutralised and over 120 arrested including their suppliers.
“A typical example was the arrest on July 13, of one Mr Haruna Fulani and Umaru who were suspected logistics suppliers to BHT Commmader Ali Ngulde at Mandara Mountains around Gwoza general area.
“Items recovered include 13 bundles of female wrappers, 20 yards of black cotton cloth, female underwears, 25 pairs of rubber shoes and several other items” he said.
The theatre commander further stated that the sustained onslaught and rainy season have led to destruction of many terrorists camps and enclaves forcing them out of thier comfort zones.
He however noted that the terrorists have found ways to sustain their explosive (IED) attacks, as well as attacks on some isolated communities and other soft targets.
He reiterated the commitment of the Theatre Command to maintain effective synergy with the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and work in unison with the Maritime and Air components, Para-military establishments, state governments, humanitarian agencies, local communities and the media for success.
Gen Musa reiterated that the re-opening of Maiduguri-Damboa Road on July 18 was done to ease economic activities and movements of people and goods.
