Military authorities on Thursday said 15,628 members of the Boko Haram sect, including some members of their families have so far surrendered to troops.
The acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General, Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this while briefing journalists on military operations between October 29 and November 11.
Onyeuko said 1,186 Boko Haram elements and their families comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children surrendered to troops at different locations in Borno State in the last two weeks.
“This brings the total number of surrendered terrorists to 15,628,” he said.
He also disclosed that no fewer than 154 persons have been rescued by men of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in different operations across the country in two weeks.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai recused 97; six were rescued by Operation Hadarin Daji’s troops; Operation Safe Haven rescued 33 victims; Operation Whirl Stroke rescued three wile Operation Delta Safe rescued 15.
He added that all rescued victims had since been reunited with their families.
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He said, “Within the period in focus, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted a series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results. A total of 97 kidnapped civilians were rescued.
“Also, 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 bandits were neutralised and six kidnapped civilians were rescued by Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji.
Troop of Operation Safe Haven responded to distress calls which helped to repel and forestall criminal elements and their activities, thereby leading to the rescue of 33 victims of armed bandits’ attacks and kidnap incidents and the arrest of 23 criminal elements within the period.
“Also, nine bandits were arrested and three kidnapped civilians rescued; two bandits were killed in the course of the operations by Operation Whirl Stroke.”
“Additionally, troops of Operation Delta Safe rescued 15 kidnapped civilians within the period. All recovered items have been handed appropriately and rescued victims reunited with their families.”
Onyeuko also said the military high command has deployed aircraft to Abuja-Kaduna railway.
According to him, the measure was put in place to prevent the facility from being attacked as well as ensure the safety of passengers’ lives.
