By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
With 36 terrorists neutralized and 137 gunmen arrested within two weeks, the Defence Headquarters (DHO), has declared that the Nigerian military has no greater priority than to restore normalcy and put an end to security challenges across the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, made the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, saying, “the men and women of the military have answered a call to duty to fight the perpetrators of these evil to submission. We are in a good fight, and must flush them out from amongst us.”
Speaking at the bi-weekly press riefing on the ogoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as at 3 August 2023, Major General Buba announced that during the two-week period, the military also arrested 3 gunrunners, 2 kidnappers, 6 collaborators, 15 perpetrators of oil theft and recovered the sum of N3,177,650.00 .
He further disclosed that a total of 140 kidnapped hostages were equally rescued by the military.
According to Major General Buba, “in the course of operations across the country troops recovered a total number of 37 weapons and 370 ammunition.”
He gave the breakdown as follows: “16 Ak47 rifles, 6 pump action guns, 6 dane guns, 3 fabricated rifles, 2 locally made pistol, 199 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 9 AK47 magazines and 2 G3 magazines, 8 vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones, 925 machetes, 151 machete sharpeners.
“Others include: 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engine, one generator, 2 pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites, 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine and 5 litres of Premium Motor Spirit,” he said.
Commenting on the joint task force (JTF) operations in the North East zone of the country, Major General Buba said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted offensive operations in Konduga and Bama LGA of Borno State.
He noted that a sting operation was also carried out within Maiduguri metropolis while air interdiction was conducted in Gwoza Local Government Area of the state, which resulted in neutralized terrorist, rescued hostages and the arrest of terrorist collaborators. Others include, recovery of weapons and arrest of a notorious gang member.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 2 AK47 rifles, 8 rounds of 7.62mm special, one motorcycle, 4 mobile phones, 5 litres of PMS, one axe and one knife. Troops also neutralized 9 terrorists and arrested 19. Troops arrested 6 terrorist collaborator/courier and rescued 12 hostages,” he said.
In the North Central zone, he saod the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted fighting patrols and raids on criminal hideouts in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau and Katsina-Ala LGA in Benue States, while same operation was carried out in Jema’a Local Government Areas of Kaduna States.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 3 dane guns, one locally fabricated pistol, one locally made gun, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one cartridge, 3 mobile phones, a pair of camouflage, jack knife. Also, troops arrested 10 suspects,” he said.
According to the Director of DMO, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized terrorist and arrested some of their collaborators in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State while doing did same in Takum and Wukari Local Government Areas of Taraba State, where they equally rescued kidnapped hostages and recovered arm and ammunition.
In the North-West, he said the operational activities of troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI resulted in the rescue of kidnapped hostages as well as the arrest of some terrorists in Jibia, Matazu and Funtua Local Government Areas all in Katsina State. Troops also, foiled attacks on farmer, conducted several air interdictions and recovered arms and ammunition in Maru and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
“In the course operations, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI recovered one AK47 rifle, 4 AK47 rifle magazines, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle and 80 livestock. Troops also rescued 20 kidnapped hostages,” he disclosed.
“Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralized 11 terrorists and recovered 2 fabricated rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special, 3 motorcycles and 80 livestock. Troops also arrested 16 terrorist, logistic suppliers or collaborators and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages,” he added.
He equally spoke on military operations in the oil-rich South-South zone, where the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft and destroyed several illegal refining sites.
For instance, he said the troops discovered and destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, 3 vehicles, 126 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engine, one speedboat, 2 motorcycles, one generator, 2 pumping machines and 36 illegal refining sites.
They also recovered 310,700 litres of crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 litres of Dual Purpose kerosine, one weapon, 3 ammunition and apprehended 22 suspects engaged in crude oil theft.
He noted that tn the course of operations, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engine, one generator, 2 pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites.
Troops also recovered 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine and 5 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and apprehended 15 perpetrators of oil theft, he added.
Commenting on the activities of the Joint Task Force Operation Udo Ka in the South East zone, Major General Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted raids on camps/hideouts of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network gunmen at UMUNNEOCHI, Anambra West Local Government Area of Abia and at Mmiata Anam Forest in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Troops also arrested suspected gunrunners, rescued kidnapped hostage and recovered arms and ammunition at Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State,” he added.
In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 35 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 pump action guns, one locally made pistol, one dane gun, one locally made hand grenade, 4 vehicles, 9 motorcycles, 925 machetes and 151 machetes sharpeners.
Overall, Major General Buba said the troops would sustain the momentum in tackling the security challenges and shall continue to fight the perpetrators to submission.
“It is expected that well-meaning Nigerians would continue to support the military and in deed stand with the military to flush out the perpetrators of these dastardly acts from amongst us. Together will can flush them out,” he said.
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