Abuja’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said, during a press briefing on Thursday, that 94 terrorists were killed by troops in various operations conducted across the northern part of the country between January 17 and 25.
Among the total slain terrorists were ten Fulani militia killed during unprovoked attacks on Bokkos and Mangu, two Christian counties in Plateau State, according to DHQ spokesman Major General Edward Buba.
Armed groups have been carrying out attacks in many remote communities in Bokkos and Mangu, often taking advantage of the inadequate security presence in those areas. The attacks spiked since last year’s Christmas Eve.
Contrary to the Defence Headquarters’ report, the terrorist swarm was repelled by untrained citizen guards, locally known as vigilantes. As first reported by TruthNigeria, the volunteer self-defense guards defended their communities with homemade single-shot pipe guns, standing firm against assault- and sniper rifles.
Soldiers only arrived later, after the attackers had suffered heavy casualties, to chase the already-retreating assailants away.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
