OPERATIVES of the country’s security agencies killed 1,614 terrorists, arrested 1,688 and rescued 1,160 abducted victims between July and August.
According to a breakdown released on Tuesday by various security and emergency management agencies at the monthly security press briefing, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force alone killed more than 1,600 suspected terrorists and criminals, and rescued over 1,100 kidnapped victims.
In his own account, Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major-General Samaila Uba, said the Armed Forces conducted 7,062 security operations across the country during the period under review, killing 1,487 terrorists and insurgents, arresting 354 suspects and rescuing 777 kidnapped victims.
He said the operations, which covered all the six geopolitical zones, included clearance operations, intelligence-led raids, rescue missions and targeted arrests against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, arms traffickers, oil thieves and other criminal elements.
Major-General Uba said the operations were conducted across Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna states.
He added that troops recovered 91 firearms, 1,331 rounds of ammunition and 44 improvised explosive devices, which were safely detonated.
Major-General Uba further explained that the highlight of the operations was the rescue of 777 kidnapped victims from a terrorist enclave.
He said 309 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters were killed during the operations, while 354 suspects were arrested.
He stated that the operations also led to the recovery of weapons, motorcycles and livestock, as well as the dismantling of terrorists’ operational bases.
He further reported that nine dialogue and peace-building initiatives and 15 stakeholder engagement were held with traditional and religious leaders.
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The DDI added that 93 security personnel casualties and 249 verified civilian casualties were recorded during the period.
He, however, said there was no major border or transnational incidents, critical infrastructure vandalism, prison breaks or threats to pipelines, railways and highways.
Police arrest 1,334 suspects, rescue 383
The Nigeria Police Force also reported significant gains in its fight against violent crime, arresting 1,334 suspects and rescuing 383 kidnapped victims during the period.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed that operatives of the Force, in multiple operations, recovered 175 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns, as well as more than 3,790 rounds of live ammunition.
He said a total of 93 vehicles and rustled cattle were recovered, while at least, 127 suspected criminals were killed during engagements with security forces.
Iniedu explained that in one major operation, police tactical teams engaged about 240 bandits in a gun battle after intelligence indicated an impending large-scale attack on a community.
He stated that the confrontation resulted in the deaths of 10 police officers and 17 bandits, while two civilians were killed in the crossfire.
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