The Defence Headquarters said it has experienced setbacks following attacks by terrorists in the past few days.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Benard Onyeuko, the Director, Defence Media Operations, said the previous few days were characterised by some operational setbacks orchestrated by terrorists and criminals in the north central region, The PUNCH reported.

“The last few days were characterised by some operational setbacks orchestrated by terrorists and criminals in the north central region,” said Onyekuo.

“The military high command wishes to use this opportunity to assure Nigerians on the determination of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to deal with all terrorists and criminal elements in the country. The events of the last few days should not bring despair to the populace.”

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Among other recent attacks, FIJ had exclusively reported that at least seven soldiers died and several others went missing in an attack on troops near Kaduna on Monday, March 28.

“Unfortunately, we lost seven soldiers to the attack. As we speak, some soldiers were injured, and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital, while some are MIA (missing in action),” a military source said.

Onyeuko assured Nigerians of the military’s preparedness to prevent subsequent terrorist attacks in the country. He said the military was conducting serious operations at the locations of recent attacks and that terrorists were taking to their heels.

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“Troops neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians. Of significance is the surrender of a high-profile terrorist, Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir),Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba, to our troops in Bama,” he said.

Onyeuko also stated that a total of 51,114 Boko Haram terrorists, comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children and their relatives had surrendered to the military as of April 5, 2022.

On the recent Abuja- Kaduna train attack, which led to the death and dissappearance of many passengers, Onyeuko said an extensive operation was ongoing to ensure nothing like that happened again.