By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters DHQ, has confirmed that several several terrorist leaders, commanders and their foot soldiers have so far surrendered to troops in the North central region of the country.
The Military High Command also said the surrendering process were occassioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops onslaught against them.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edwards Buba on Friday in Abuja.
According to General Buba
troops have so far recorded surrendering of terrorist in the North Central operational theatres.
He said this was achieved through non kinetic collaborative effort with stakeholders deployed to encourage the surrendering process.
“Accordingly, several terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have so far surrendered with more indicating interest to surrender.” Buba confirmed.
He said terrorist that have surrendered include; Yellow Jambros, Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi(Alhaji Lawal ), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e and Babangida among others.
He said troops will sustain its operational tempo in order to destroy or cause further surrendering by terrorists.
In a related development troops have neutralized 135 and arrested 185 persons.
” Troops also arrested 61 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 129 kidnapped hostages.
” In the South South operational theatre, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Eight Hundred and Eighty Nine Million Two Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand Twenty Naira (N889,233,020.00) only.
” Furthermore, troops recovered 113 assorted weapons and 2,415 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown as follows: 72 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 15 dane guns, 3 locally made pistols, 8 pump action guns, 4 hand grenades, one RPG bomb and tube.
” Others are: 1,554 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 380 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 203 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 129 live cartridges, 28 shotgun cartridges, 500 empty case of MG ammo, 30 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 49 rounds of 5.7mm ammo, 165 live cartridges, 10 rounds of 9mm ammo, 38 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 3 handheld radios, 2 baofeng radios, 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, 28 mobile phones and the sum of N732,000.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 93 crude oil cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks and 82 illegal refining sites.
” Other items recovered include one outboard engine, 4 speedboats, 3 HH radios, 4 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 14 vehicles.
“Troops recovered 909,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 71,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 13,580 litres of PMS.8. Overall, troops will continue to find innovative solutions in tackling the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.
“We remain in a winning position in the war.” General Buba noted.
