SAN FRANCISCO, February 02, (THEWILL) – A total of 3,332 suspected Boko Haram terrorists have been arrested by troops of operation Lafiya Dole between January to February 1, 2017 during a mop up operation following the dislodgement of the insurgents from Sambisa forest.
This was disclosed by the Major General Lucky Irabor, Theatre Commander of the operation, during the weekly live Media briefing in Maiduguri on Thursday at the Command headquarters revealing that the troops made several recoveries from the insurgents including, their logistics, a silka gun vehicle, arms, weapons, ammunition, 4 military trucks, 3 military vehicles, food items, N872,000 cash, drugs, clothes and others items from the insurgents and their abandoned hideouts.
Major. Gen. Irabor, announced that a syndicate of nine different suspects of Boko Haram suppliers and agents were also arrested while 8 trucks carrying food items, grains and fertilizer for the Boko Haram Terrorists were intercepted.
He disclosed that out of the over 3000 suspects arrested, 26 were foreigners comprising of 17 Chadians, while the remaining 9 are from the republic of Niger.
He added that 7 cattle rustlers were also intercepted with 34 cows and are undergoing interrogation while 8 women, from Niger Republic going to Kano in Nigeria, were intercepted by the troops and are under investigation by the military, stressing that they would be handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Services for further necessary action.
Speaking on the casualty on the side of the insurgents, he mentioned that 26 Boko Haram Terrorists were killed in various operations but regretted that five soldiers were killed, with another five wounded, just as 3 civilians, including a member of the Civilian JTF.
He disclosed that troops on clearance mission at Gashigar axis discovered 4 graves of the insurgents with 36 grenades and 13rounds of ammunition concealed in the graves.
Irabor declared that the January 16 airstrike on Rann, Kala/Balge Local Government of Borno State was a mistake, which has been deeply regretted by the military.
He confirmed that a total of 122 people lost their lives in the unfortunate airstrike and condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack, while praying for the eternal rest of the dead.
He equally thanked the donor agencies and development partners who provided help during the unfortunate Rann incidents.
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