The Defence Headquarters has said no fewer than 96 terrorists have been killed by troops during operations in the Northern parts of the country.

Also, a total of 227 suspects, including a terrorist commander identified as Usman Maisaje, were arrested in the operations.

In a statement on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward said Maisaje was a close associate of a wanted high-profile terrorist leader known as Kachalla Boka.

He added that the suspect was cooperating and providing troops with much-needed intelligence for further operations.

Buba said, “During the week, troops neutralised 96, arrested 227 persons, and rescued 157 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops in the NC operational theatre arrested a notorious terrorist commander identified as Usman Maisaje.

“The arrested terrorist commander is a close associate of a wanted high-profile terrorist leader known as Kachalla Boka. The arrest has been rewarding in intelligence value as he is cooperating and providing troops with much-needed intelligence for further operations.”

Buba said in the South-South, troops recovered crude oil worth N712m and arrested 45 suspected oil thieves.

He said, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed four dugout pits, 48 boats, 52 drums and 38 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 55 cooking ovens, two speedboats, one tricycle, six mobile phones, six vehicles and 60 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 712,535 litres of stolen crude oil and 76,800 litres of illegally refined AGO.”

Buba further said troops recovered 71 sophisticated weapons and 1,463 ammunition.