The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said on Thursday that troops of Operation Safe Haven engaged Fulani militia in a sustained fire-fight, killing 10 terrorists.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.- Gen. Edward Buba, said the confrontation followed an intelligence report that a large number of armed Fulani militia were mobilising to attack a community in Bokkos Local Government Council of Plateau State.
“Troops made contact with the violent extremists/Fulani militia. Following a fire-fight, troops neutralised 10 insurgents and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 210 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five mobile phones and 29 rounds of PKT ammo”, he said.
He said troops arrested suspected violent extremists and foiled Fulani militia attack on locals in Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Councils of Plateau State.
He said troops conducted raid operations and foiled kidnap incidents in Sanga, Jema’a and Kauru Local Government Councils of Kaduna State as well as Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“On January 18, 2024, following credible intelligence reports, troops conducted sting operations and arrested five suspected violent extremists/terrorists in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
“During the operation, troops recovered five AK47 rifles with 123 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and two motorcycles”, he said.
He stated further that on January 17, 2024, troops responded to information on a large number of armed Fulani militia mobilising to attack a community in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.
He affirmed that on 18 and 19 January 2024, troops with hybrid forces in a separate operation raided suspected violent extremists and insurgents’ hideouts in Sanga and Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State as well as Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
“During the operations, troops arrested nine suspected violent extremists and kidnappers, recovered four vehicles, one tricycle and substance suspected to be cannabis”, he said.
Meanwhile, troops of Operation Whirl Punch Between January 19 and 23, 2024, in a separate offensive operation, made contact with violent extremists/insurgents in Kuje and Bwari Area Council of FCT, Akwanga and Nasarawa LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Tafa LGA of Niger State.
“During the operations, troops neutralised 12 insurgents and arrested six suspected violent extremists and insurgents. Additionally, troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated guns, four Dane guns, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special, two motorcycles and knives.
“Between 17 and 20 January, 2024, troops in separate operations, conducted fighting patrols in Bwari and Kuje Area Councils of FCT, Abuja.
“During the operations, troops arrested 10 violent extremists/insurgents and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 24 rounds of 7.62mm special, 241 mobile phones, substance suspected to be cannabis and the sum of N7,600.00.
“On 21 January 2024, troops while on stop and search operation intercepted and arrested 10 suspected illegal miners in Kuje Area Council of FCT, Abuja”, he said.
Kingsley Nwezeh
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