The Defence Headquarters claimed on Friday troops deployed to various theatre commands across the country killed 177 suspected terrorists last week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the troops also arrested 263 others and rescued 158 hostages in different operations across the country.

Buba said the troops recovered 170 assorted weapons and 4,692 assorted ammunitions, comprising six PKT guns, 63 AK47 rifles, three FN rifles, one SMG rifle, 29 locally fabricated guns, 37 Dane guns and 20 pump action guns among others.

He added that a total of 2,100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,239 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 419 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 212 rounds of 5.56 x 54mm ammo and 722 live cartridges were recovered during the period.

‘In the North- East, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 64 terrorists, arrested 55 suspects and rescued 29 kidnappers hostages within the week.

“Several caches of arms and ammunition were recovered while a total of 751 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops across the theatre.

“In the North-Central, the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 25 insurgents, arrested 64 violent extremists and rescued 42 kidnapped hostages.

“In the North-West, the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 52 terrorists, arrested 41 terrorists and rescued 49 kidnapped hostages as well as recovery of several caches of arms.”

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