By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
A total of 153 criminal elements were eliminated by troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the North-West and North-West parts of the country between July 29 and August 12, 2021.
Specifically, 27 Boko Haram Terrorist/ISWAP fighters and 3 terrorists’ collaborators were neutralized by troops of Operation HADIN KAI during operations in the North East theatre, 123 armed bandits were neutralized by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji in Zamfara State between 2 and 6 August 202.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Brigadier-General Benard Onyeuko, who made this known in Abuja on Thursday, also confirmed that within the period under review, security forces ambushed and neutralized 6 IPOB/ESN members, who were involved in the killing of a District Police Officer (DPO) at Omuma Town in Orlu East LGA of Imo State and arrested 3.
Brigadier-General Onyeuko, who spoke during the bi-weekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operational activities, noted that various kinetic operations were carried out to deny terrorists, armed bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action as well as frustrate movement of arms and other illegal items in all theatres of operations.
He added that several operations were also carried out to curb illegal oil activities and deter economic saboteurs freedom of action in carrying out their nefarious activities, and that in the last two weeks, considerable achievements were recorded in the various theatres of operation.
According to Brigadier-General Onyeuko, the Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI during the period, intensified its operations in the North East theatre, with the intensity of those operations yielding tremendous results as evidenced in the number of casualties and massive surrender of terrorists in Buni Yari, Gorgore, Baga and Monguno Towns as well as Maiduguri – Baga Road, Maiduguri – Damboa Road and Bula Yobe – Darel Jamel Road. Operations were also carried out at Kayamri and Mairari villages as well as Monguno and Kukawa Towns, all in Borno State.
Besides the neutralization of 27 BHT/ISWAP fighters, 51 BHT/ISWAP terrorists were arrested, while 35 assorted arms and 1,051 round of ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, GPMG, PKT guns, 60mm mortar tubes, Makarov pistol and other machine guns, amongst other items were recovered, in addition to the rescue of 29 abducted civilians.
He further gave account of the operational activities of Operation HADARIN DAJI in in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West; Operation SAFE HAVEN in Kaduna and the North-Central; Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue and Taraba States; Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch in Kaduna and Niger States; Operation DELTA SAFE in the South-South Zone and; Secessionists’ activities of IPOB/ESN member in the South East.
Brigadier-General Onyeuko declared: “The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have and will continued to remain committed to fight all forms of criminality until sustainable peace is achieved in our dear Country.
“The Military High Command appreciates the enormous sacrifices of the troops in the various theatres of operations across the Country. It salutes their courage, service and commitment to the nation. We appreciate the general public and the press for the support and you are further encouraged to continue to provide credible and timely information that will facilitate our proactive engagements in all the theatres of operation.”