The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said its troops on fighting patrol have killed several terrorists and arrested others at Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
It said the troops also killed terrorists and violent extremists in Tafa Local Government of Niger State.
The Director Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known yesterday while fielding questions from reporters during a briefing.
The residents of Garam Kuduru and neighbouring communities in Bwari Local Government have relocated due to persistent bandits’ attacks and kidnapping.
He said: “The aim of our ongoing operation remains unchanged; and it is to go after the terrorists wherever they may be hiding and destroy them.
“We believe that by destroying them, they will not be able to carry out terror against the citizens of this country and we will have a safer environment.
“From the reports we have concerning the FCT and its environs, as I speak to you, operations are still ongoing in those locations. In the last one week, we have arrested several of them and they are providing us with necessary information that will help us in our operations.”
On civilians’ casualties recorded during operations along Abuja-Kaduma Highway, Buba described them as an unfortunate incident that occurs during military operations all over the world.
He said: “What happened on January 6 on Kaduna-Abuja Highway was that the terrorists were crossing the road and they were effectively engaged by the troops. Unfortunately some civilians were caught up in the cross fire. These are complexities of war. And like I said, as a military, our aim is to go after them.
“What made them to cross, it is because we were going after them and they couldn’t remain where they were, so they have to move out. And in the process, we still have to engage them. We are in a situation of war. It is unfortunate that civilians were caught up in the cross fire. But we can’t leave the terrorists, we have to go after them and destroy them.”
The military chief also confirmed that terrorists were involved in mining in Zamfara State.
“On issue of Zamfara State, I want us to go back to our history books and find out what are the causes of war all over the world? Anywhere there is mineral deposit; people want to get that mineral. And to get that mineral, what do they do? They want to displace the communities there to get that mineral.
“So this happens all over the world. Ours is not different.”
He said the military would be more resolute in dealing with terrorists and other criminals this year.
