…As Tambuwal reiterates commitment to flush out bandits, informants***

The Defence Headquarters says troops have eliminated no fewer than 121 terrorists and bandits in the last two weeks.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday while briefing newsmen on ongoing military operations across the country.

Also read: Troops eliminate 17 terrorists in Borno

He said troops of “Operation Hadin Kai’’ conducted clearance operations in the fight against Boko Haram and Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and other criminal elements in the theatres of operations.

Onyeuko said the operations led to the killing of 12 terrorists and the recovery of a large cache of arms and equipment.

Some of the arms and equipment are four AA-guns, 2,000 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, one MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carrier and one truck mounted with 122 artillery guns.

He said Boko Haram and ISWAP members had continued to surrender to troops at different locations of the war theatre.

“A total of 174 Boko Haram terrorists and their families comprising of 43 adult males, 58 females and 73 children from villages around Bama and Dikwa Local Government Areas of Borno surrendered to our troops.

“All terrorists that have surrendered and their families have been profiled,’’ Onyeuko said.

The Defence spokesman added that troops of “Operation Hadarin Daji’’ also conducted a series of artillery and air bombardments of terrorists in the northwest during the period killing six terrorists and forcing many to flee in disarray.

He said that exploitation operations led to the recovery of 574 rustled cattle, 22 motorcycles, three AK-47 rifles and 21 rounds of ammunition.

He added that other operations in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara during the period resulted in the neutralisation of 90 bandits and the rescue of eight civilian victims.

“Cumulatively, the operations neutralised 96 terrorists, rescued eight kidnapped victims, and recovered a large cache of ammunition.

“All rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions,’’ he said.

Onyeuko also told newsmen that renewed intensity of operations by troops of “Operation Whirl Stroke’’ in the fight against banditry and other criminal elements resulted in the destruction of many bandits’ camps.

He said the troops eliminated notorious militia gang leader, Iortyom Wuave (aka Janta) on Feb. 24.

Wuave had been on the Wanted List of the military at Tse Mela in Katsina Ala Local Government Area of Benue.

He added that troops also raided the hideout of notorious bandits at Tse Jundo in Mbamena Council Ward in UUkum Local Government Area of Benue.

In the process, troops killed two bandits, Terdoo Kiorga (aka Apaapa) and Orkulam Mom (aka Orbutee).

Onyeuko said the duo had been on the wanted list of “Operation Whirl Stroke’’ and were known to have unleashed mayhem on Zaki Biam in Benue and its environs in the past.

Within the period under review, troops cumulatively neutralised nine bandits, recovered eight AK47 rifles, eight magazines, 208 special ammunitions and 15 cell phones.

“As part of non-kinetic operations, Force Commander of `Operation Whirl Stroke’, distributed some food, sanitary materials and sundry items to Internally Displaced Persons in Ortese, Benue and Daudu in Keana, Nasarawa State.

“Troops also conducted series of peace meetings with heads of local communities and youth leaders to work out modalities for maintaining peace in their domain,’’ Onyeuko said.

In the meantime, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Thursday reiterated determination to flush out all bandits and their informants in some communities of the state.

In a statement by Malam Muhammad  Bello, Tambuwa’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, the governor warned marauders and their collaborators to steer clear of the state or face the full wrath of the law, if apprehended.

According to Bello, Tambuwa made the remarks in his address when he visited Sabon Garin Liman village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The governor said he had received intelligence reports on the influx of suspected bandits and their informants into Sabon Garin Liman village.

He said the administration, with the assistance of security agencies and the Federal Government, would not allow criminals to lose the gains already made in stemming the tide of bandits’ nefarious activities.

“The state government is not unaware of what is happening in this village, where bandits both from within and outside the country are taking refuge.

“I was out of the state and had to come back because of certain information that I received.

The information is very worrisome and of concern.

It has to do with happenings around here and Gundumi forest in Zamfara.

“We know that there are informants in this village and they collaborate with bandits.

We are going to flush them out and make sure that the law takes its course on them,” Tambuwal said.

He appealed to the law-abiding people in the community to collaborate with the village head, other leaders and security agencies in the state.

” It is important to cooperate with the security agencies, particularly those deployed around this area so that we can nip this in the bud and reestablish peace here and in the state in general,” he said.

The governor commiserated with the people of the community on what has been happening in the area, especially the recent attacks.

” What happened in Kebbi, where bandits killed over 60 vigilante men is shocking.

” I extend condolences to the people and government of the state.

We don’t want such happenings.

We must all work together to ensure that the progress being recorded so far is not retarded.

“We pray that God Almighty shall continue to forgive the souls of those who lost their lives; and grant complete healings to those who sustained injuries and wounds,” the governor said.

The newsmen report that Tambuwal was accompanied during the visit by heads of security agencies in the state, the state Commissioner of Security and Career Affairs, Retired Col. Garba Moyi and the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Saidu Umar.