Update: Troops Rescue 20 Policemen Abducted By Terrorists In Yobe

Twenty Policemen abducted by terrorists during attack on the Police Division at Buni Yadi in Yobe State, have been rescued by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, the Defence Headquarters has disclosed.

Acting Director Defence Media Operations Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, while briefing Defence Correspondents on ongoing military operations in the last two weeks, hinted that troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic operations have continued to drive the terrorists out of their camps into surrendering.

According to him, within the time under review, a total of 62 terrorist elements were neutralized , 28 arrested, while 192 terrorists and their families comprising 51 adult males, 67 adult females and 74 children.

The feat was recorded between 25 November,and 9 December, through sustained surface and air attacks, Onyeuko noted.

In his words, “Operation Hadin Kai, troops’ operational activities within the last 2 weeks recorded significant results in the various operations they carried out. Notably, on 3 December 2021, troops 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 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 continued: “In the past 2 weeks, troops extensively conducted multiple land, maritime and air operations at different locations of the various theatres of operation.

“Some of the operations resulted in the decimation of criminals’ enclaves, neutralization and arrest of criminal elements’ as well as recovery of arms, ammunition and illegally refined and stolen petroleum products.”

On ongoing efforts to stop piracy and other acts of economic sabotage, the one-star General disclosed thus: “Troops discovered and immobilized a total of 39 illegal refining sites, 73 ovens, 25 cooking pots/boilers, 18 cooling systems, 27 reservoirs, 39 large dugout pits and 89 storage tanks.

“Consequently, a total of One Million, Fourteen Thousand litres (1,014,000 ltrs) of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 50,500 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene and One Million, Eight Hundred And Eight Thousand, Five Hundred litres (1,808,500 ltrs) of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations. In addition, 18 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.

“Also, troops recovered 6 assorted arms, 586 rounds of different caliber of ammunition, 12 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 278 pieces of galvanized pipes and 40 wooden boats used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations. All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action”.