The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI foiled plans by terrorists to disrupt the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections.
The military high command also said troops on patrol at Okehi town in Okenne Local Government Area of Kogi state on 25 February arrested 8 political thugs in an attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
Director Defence Media Operations Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami stated this in Abuja during the biweekly briefing on troop's activities and operational successes in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the country.
“Notably, on 24 February 2023, intelligent report revealed terrorist convergence with plans to attack some locations in Kauwa, Gamboru and Monguno in Borno state in a bid to disrupt the 2023 general elections.
“Consequently, series of air interdiction operations was carried out at these identified locations. Feedback revealed that the airstrike dealt with terrorists, as several terrorist were neutralized with their logistics destroyed,” he said.
He said troops Operation HADIN KAI in the North East and HADARIN DAJI neutralized 21 terrorist, arrested 35 terrorist logistics suppliers and rescued 36 civilians while a total of 1,332 terrorist and their family members comprising 222 males, 411 females and 699 children surrendered at different locations within the theatre of operations.
General Danmadami also said troops acting on credible intelligence while on ambush position apprehended a terrorist's commander alongside his wife and 4 children at Gwoza town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno state.
According to him, between 23 February to 8 March 2023, troops ambushed terrorists as well as intercepted terrorist's logistics suppliers in villages within Marte, Konduga, Bama, Biu, Monguno and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno state.
He added that: “Following the encounter, troops neutralized 8 terrorists while other fled. Troops also arrested 35 suspected terrorists' logistics suppliers”
Speaking further, the defence spokesperson said troops on patrol at Gusau in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state intercepted a female bandit collaborator who was enroute Taraba state with the sum N1,093,000.00 only concealed in a cosmetic bag.
He said the recovered sum was said to be for the purchase of arms and ammunition in Taraba state.
“Also, on 26 February 2023, troops on patrol in Gusau town in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state arrested a suspected bandit collaborator with the sum of N9,500,000.00 naira only,” he said.
He said all recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
 Thursday said the air component of Operation HADIN KAI foiled plans by terrorists to disrupt the February 25){kind=link}