By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has reiterated the determination of the armed forces of Nigeria to end terrorism and insecurity across the country.
To accomplish this task, troops are strategically deployed to conduct operations across the country in order to create a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful duties and activities.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Edward Buba, made this known in Abuja on Thursday, adding that within the last two weeks alone, troops of the Armed Forces neutralised over 40 terrorists, arrested 191 others, while recovering 72 assorted weapons and 338 assorted ammunition.
He said the troops also arrested 68 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages, just as in the South-South zone of the country, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N408,147,460.00.
According to the DMO Director, “we are carrying out attacks on the terrorist enclaves and strongholds, aimed at eliminating the leadership and foot soldiers of these terror groups.”
“Troops will continue to go after these terrorist and apply military pressure to destroy them and their cohorts across the country.”
Major-General Buba, who was briefing the media on the on-going operational activities of the Nigerian military, announced that within the last two weeks, the armed forces conducted synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves and hideouts.
“Immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scramped to conduct major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves,” he said.
He gave a breakdown of recovered weapons and ammunition as follows: “20 AK47 rifles, 6 FN rifles, 8 pump action guns, 4 locally fabricated rifle, 19 dane guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,085 rounds 7.62mm x 56mm ammo, 5.56mm x 45mm ammo, 84 rounds 12.7mm ammo and 12 live cartridges.”
“Others are: one PKM barrel, one locally made bomb, 2 RPG charger, one bandolier, 34 magazines, 10 vehicles, 32 mobile phones, 18 motorcycles, 23 bicycles, 6 boafeng HH radios and the sum of N895,900.00 amongst other items,” he added.
Within the period under review, troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 23 dugout pits, 30 boats, 99 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered include 135 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 5 pump machines, 2 motorcycles and 68 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 406,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 252,112 litres of illegally refined AGO, 3,158 litres of DPK and 10,800 litres of PMS
“The goal of ongoing operations is to destroy the terrorist and their cohorts across the country. And, our first priority is the protection of the citizens of this country,” Major-General Buba declared.
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