General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff
By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
As part of the on-going efforts to contain the security challenges in the country, troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces, in conjunction with other security agencies, recorded significant results within the last three weeks, with the elimination of over 50 terrorists and arrest of 62 criminal elements as well as recovery of 55 AK47 rifles and ammunition.
During the conduct of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in different parts of the country, the troops also successfully rescued over 43 kidnapped civilians and recovered large quantities of stolen crude oil products, including cash amounting to over N1million.
Director, Defence Military Operaions (DMO), Major-General Musa Danmadami, who disclosed on in Abuja on Thursday, also noted that the sum of N810,957,475.00 only were denied oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.
He was briefing Defence Correspondents on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted in addressing the various security challenges across the Country between the period of 22 December 2022 – 12 January 2023.
Specifically, Major-general Danmadami said that in the North-East zone of the country, troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 4 FN rifles, 3 locally pump made action guns, 5 locally made pistols, 3 PKT machine guns, 124 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 139 rounds of 7.62mm special, 29 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 140mm bomb, 1 UXO 81mm mortar bomb, 3 RPG tubes and bombs, 5 x 36 hand grenade, 5 dane guns and 5 FN magazines.
“Other items recovered are, 19 drums of Automotive Gas Oil, 5 drums of Premium Motor Spirit, 10 bags of assorted grains, 10 crates of soft drinks, 150 pieces of used clothing, 50 pieces women fabrics, 50 children wear, 30 pairs of women foot wears, textiles materials, medical supplies, 21 motorcycles, 16 bicycles, 2 grinding machines, 1 tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, 30 rustle cattle, the sum of N938,580.00 and other sundry items,” he added.
He said the troops equally neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 18 terrorists as well as 21 Terrorist logistics suppliers, 2 terrorist foreign informants and 5 kidnappers. Troops also rescued 47 abducted civilians while a total of 377 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising of 52 adult males, 126 adult females and 199 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operations.
In the North central Zone, he said, the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted operational activities in the villages of Riyom, Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Pankshin, Jos South, Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State at criminal hideout.
According to the Director, “on 22 December 2022 following a tip off, troops in conjunction with Department of State Services operative arrested a notorious gun runner along Kwankonka-Zaria road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Items recovered from the suspect include 1 fabricated AK47 rifle, I fabricated pistol, 533 rounds of 7.62mm NATO concealed in a bag of grains and the sum of N7,750.00.
“Also, on 31 December 22, troops conducted a follow-up operation following the arrest of a terrorist on 29 December 22 at Kawuri forest in Bwari Area Council of the FCT and recovered 3 burnt AK 47 rifles, 5 burnt AK 47 magazines and some exploded rounds as result of bush burning in the forest.
“Equally, on 5 Jaunary 2023, troops acted on credible information and arrested a notorious kidnapper, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim who was on the wanted list of troops at Kara market, Bukuru in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State with the sum of N524,650.00.”
Giving an update on the military operations in the North West Zone, Danmadami said the land and air component of Operation HADIN DAJI had sustained offensive operation on terrorists’ enclaves, camps and hideouts within the zone.
“Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in the North West Zone recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, 1 PKT machine gun, 152 rounds of 7.62mm special, 137 rounds of PKT ammunition, 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1 RPG 7 bombs, 2 FN rifle magazines, 5 AK47 magazines, 15 mobile phones, 55 motorcycles, 1 Toyota Corolla car and the sum of N1,906,000.00 and 453 rustled cattle,” he disclosed.
“Accordingly, the land, maritime and air component of the Operation DELTA SAFE conducted operational activities at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns, cities of Bayelsa, Delta and River State to checkmate the activities of criminal elements and deny them freedom of action.
“Consequently, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations discovered and destroyed several illegal refining sites, equipment’s and petroleum products as well as apprehended some suspected criminals.
“Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops discovered as destroyed several illegal refining sites, 1,075 cooking ovens, 343 storage tanks, 154 dugout pits and 28 wooden boats. Troops also recovered 2 barge, 7 tankers, 56 cars, 12 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1 speedboat, 1 tug boat, 7 motorcycles and 1 tricycle. Additionally, troops equally recovered 854,500 litres of crude oil, 1,055,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 1 AK47 rifle while 19 suspected economic saboteurs were also arrested.
“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action. It is worth mentoring that the sum of N810,957,475.00 only were denied oil thieves,” Major General Danmadami said.
Commenting on military operations in the South East Zone, the Director noted that
within the weeks in review, troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 3 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 1 double barrel rifle, 2 locally made pistols, 1 RPG tube 3 locally made RPG bombs with tubes, 6 AK47 magazines, 3 FN magazines, 2 MK2 magazines, 55 rounds of MK2 ammunition, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 43 rounds of 7.62mm special.
According to him, other items recovered include 11 vest, 3 pairs of combat boots, 9 canisters, 3 dynamites, boafeng radio, 7 Eastern Security Network vest, 9 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among other items. Troops also neutralized 7 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals and arrested 6. All recovered items and apprehended suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
