By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
The operational activities of the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the on-going war against in security in the northern part of the country recorded significant results in the past two weeks as no fewer than 46 Boko Haram terrorists, armed bandits and other criminal elements were neutralized.
The sustained operational tempo in the land, maritime and air operations across the various theatres of operation in the country, also led to the surrendering of 1,186 Boko Haram elements and their families, comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children in different locations in Borno state.
Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Benard Onyeuko, who made this known in Abuja on Thursday during his bi-weekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operational activities, further said that a total of 133 kidnapped civilians were successfully rescued, while 119 terrorists and other criminal elements were arrested.
Giving summary of the operational activities of the troops from 29 Oct to 11 Nov 2021, Brigadier-General Onyeuko also noted that a total of 160 assorted arms, including AK-47 riffles, machine guns and locally-manufactured pistols and 175 rounds of ammunition, were recovered during the period.
He noted that within the period in focus, the troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results, adding that the sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering.
“Some of these operations were executed at different locations in Borno and Yobe States, including; Rann, Dalayazara, Gwange Kura, Bam Buratai, Makintakuri and Muduvi villages as well as Marte – Dikwa and Buni Yadi – Jauro Bashir roads,” he said.
Similarly, he said, the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review. These operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino Town in Danmusa LGA as well as Gidan Diya village and Faskari town in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Other locations were; Gusau – Magami road in Maru LGA; Dauran village in Zurmi LGA and Munhaya forest, all in Zamfara State as well as Zodi Hills along Zuru road in Kebbi State.
“The entire theatre of SAFE HAVEN with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action. The general security situation in the Zone was relatively calm within the period in focus; however, some locations recorded pockets of incidents. Some of these incidents were recorded at; Boi village in Mangu LGA; Rikko, Gangere and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North LGA; Heipang village in Barkin Ladi LGA and Gumsher village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. Other locations were; Gurawa village under Kundum District in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State as well as Jankasa village in Zangon Kataf LGA, Wasa Station in Sanga LGA and Agban village in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State,” Onyeuko said.
“Furthermore, Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operations by engaging youths in sporting activities. Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted Peace and Unity Marathon Competition organized by troops in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. A total of 160 participants from diverse religious and ethnic groups within Plateau State took part in the competition. At the end trophies and prices were presented to participant in the different categories,” he added.
According to the acting Director, Operation WHIRL STROKE, during the period, continued to maintain operational tempo in both its kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the North Central Zone which yielded significant results.
“Within the period under review, clearance and raid operations were carried out at Gbise, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, Tungu Atogbenda, Atumbe and Ior Humber in Benue State as well as Agboda, Udeni Gida and Araba Udege communities in Nasarawa State. Cumulatively, a total of 19 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, 2 locally-made pistols and 6 extra rifle magazines as well as 79 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Other weapons recovered were 36 hand grenades, pump action as well as locally-made rifles and ammunition. Also a total of 9 armed bandits were arrested and 3 kidnapped civilians rescued, 2 armed bandits were killed in the course of the operations,” he disclosed.
The troops further held peace and security meetings with community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies at Dobely community in Lau LGA of Taraba State as well as Buruku town in Buruku LGA, Iyoude community and Palaces of the District Heads of Ngbaa and Okpoga communities in Guma LGAs and Tse Dogo community in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
In the South-South Zone of the country, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted land, maritime and air operations in the, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.
“Within the period, several anti-illegal oil production and raid operations were executed at different locations in the Zone that yielded significant results. In the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites. These feats were recorded in Brass, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State; while in Delta State, some significant achievements were recorded in Sapele, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs,” said General Onyeuko..
Brigadier-General Onyeuko, who noted that the efforts of Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, both kinetic and non-kinetic, were achieving significant results, vowed that the troops would not relent nor rest on their oars in the fight against criminalities in all parts of the Country.
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