By David Torough, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops eliminated 1,166 terrorists and apprehended 1,096 suspects in 29 days across the country.The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. He said the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7. 62mm special ammo within the month.Others, according to him, were 1,991 rounds of 7.62mmNATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunition.He said that several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of military onslaught during the month.According to him, those in the North East include: Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.“Those in the North West include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.“Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensives.“The situations experienced mostly these days are low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.“Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.“Accordingly, the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators,’’ he said.In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadin Kai, neutralised 292 terrorists, apprehended 254 suspects and rescued 213 kidnapped hostages during the month.He added a total of 2,742 Boka Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families, surrendered to troops as well as recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition.In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 50 violent extremists, apprehended 290 and rescued 121 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of a cache of arms.Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 94 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 153 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects and rescued 186 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of a cache of arms.Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops neutralised 63 terrorists, apprehended 291 suspects and rescued 62 kidnap hostages, with recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition.In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day in August.He said the troops apprehended 71 persons involved in crude oil theft and impounded 5,047,150 litres of crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS.“Furthermore, troops recovered 194 assorted ammunition and destroyed 125 wooden boats as well as 458 illegal refining sites.“Nevertheless, troops are urging for more transparency by the IOCs, accurate metering, cooperation of stakeholders in the sector and well cooperation from the local communities.“Troops are also monitoring the prosecution of culprits perpetrating crude oil theft,’’ he added.In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group and neutralised 34 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 26 kidnap hostages.