Terror War: Troops Neutralize 103 BHT/ISWAP Terrorists, Rescue 30 Abducted Victims; Discover, Destroy Terrrorists Base with Bunkers, 100 Mattresses in Mallam Fatori; Destroy 57 Illegal Refining Sites in Niger Delta

Troops fighting to rid the North East of terrorist’s neutralized a total of 103 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa terrorists in several encounters in the theatre of operations, arrested 12 BHT logistics suppliers while 4 terrorists commanders surrendered in the last two weeks

During the encounters, 30 abducted civilians were rescued while a total of 423 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families comprising of 41 adult males, 126 adult females and 222 children surrendered to own troops at different locations within the theatre.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Dannadani who made this known on Thursday disclosed that in one of clearance operations into the forest outside Mallam Fatori town in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State, troops discovered a base with bunkers and over 100 mattresses which were sets ablazed while the air component through air interdiction operation neutralized several terrorists trying to escape from the general area.

He said that during the encounters troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 2 G3 rifles, 5 FN rifles, 2 QJC guns, 1 gun truck, 2,411 rounds of 7.62mm special, 143 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 26 AK47 magazines, 4 x 36 hand grenades, RPG tube, HEAP bomb, HEAT bomb, Mortar tube, Mortar tripod stands and a 60mm mortar bomb.

In the fight against oil theft, Gen. Danmadami said troops of Operation Delta Safe denied oil thieves a total of Seven Hundred Thirteen Million, Six Hundred Ninety Nine Thousand Six Hundred Naira (N713,699,600.00) worth of stolen cruse products in the South South Region.

Giving a breakdown of the operations, he said, “Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 953 cooking ovens, 68 wooden boats, 172 storage tanks and 149 dugout pits.

“Also recovered were 445,000 litres of crude oil, 1,043,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 22,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 2,000 litres Dual Purpose Kerosine, 1 AK47 rifle, 8 tankers, 63 vehicles, 2 speed boat, 1 thug boat, 14 motorcycles, 1 tricycle, 3 bicycles, 11 pumping machines and 3 outboard engines, while 21 oil thieves and pipeline vandals were apprehended.

“The large quantity of illegal crude oil and other petroleum product recovered and destroyed and the number of arrested oil thieves and pipeline vandals, shows the unrelenting efforts by the troops of Operation Delta Safe in denying them freedom of action.

In the North Central, he said troops in conjunctions with other security agencies raided Karamajiji and Lugbe general areas in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory to rid the general area of the menace of criminal elements.

“During the operations the team intercepted a total of Four Hundred and Twenty Nine (429) motorcycles. The motorcycles were subsequently crushed same day in an open field at Lugbe in the presence of all participating security agencies. Troops also conducted fighting patrol to Kassanki village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and arrested 5 suspected kidnappers in their hideout.

Troops also on patrol had contact with bandits within Kampani general area in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, neutralized 1 bandit while others fled. Troops recovered 25 rounds of 7.62mm special and 2 motorcycles among other items.

A notorious gun runner was equally arrested along Kwankonka-Zaria road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state on 19 December 2022 with 1 fabricated AK47 rifle, 1 fabricated pistol and 533 rounds of 7.62mm NATO concealed in a bag of grains, while a bandolier was also discovered inside a jerrycan of palm oil.

Furthermore, troops of Operation Safe Haven raided the residence of a notorious gunrunner on the wanted list at Rampla village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, recovered 2 fabricated pistols and 1 fabricated rifle. Troops also carried out covert operation on 9 December 2022 and arrested 2 notorious kidnappers at Gora and Maijuju villages in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted fighting patrols to an identified bandits hideout at Ungawan Babale and Rafin Sarki in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and neutralized 5 terrorists while others fled.

Equally, troops on fighting patrol at Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State arrested a suspected gun runner who has been on the wanted list of troops at a filling station while refueling his car. Items recovered from him include 5 AK47 rifles, 4,000 rounds of 7.6mm special ammo concealed in a sack, 4 magazines, teargas cannister as well as knives.

Troops responding to distress call on terrorist attack at Maigamji village in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State neutralized 3 bandits while others fled with gun shot wounds and after exploiting the area, troops recovered a bag containing 7 AK 47 magazines loaded with 204 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 motorcycles and a mobile phone.

“Same day, troops made contact with bandits at Mahuta village in the same Funtua Local Government Area. Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and recovered 2 dane guns, 4 mobile phones and daggers among other items.

Also, following a tip off, troops intercepted a truck conveying uncoupled motorcycles with 5 suspects along Gusau-Dansadau road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State. It was revealed that the items were intended for delivery to a suspected terrorists collaborator who has been on the watch list of troops.

“Consequently, after the encounters troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 1 baretta pistol, 1 locally made rifle, 3 locally made pistol, 4 locally made guns, 3 dane guns, 4,308 rounds 7.62mm special, 7 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 11 rounds of 7.56mm ammunition and 5 cartridges.

Also recovered are 55 motorcycles, 7 uncoupled motorcycles, 13 mobile phones and 820 rustled cattle as well as the sum of Two Million Three and Two Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Five Naira (N2,302,195.00) only.

Troops equally neutralized 27 terrorists, arrested 36 suspected terrorist and rescued 35 abducted civilians. All recovered items, rescued civilians and arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

Relatedly, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch, conducted an air interdiction operation at identified terrorists hideouts in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State following credible intelligence about the activities of terrorists in the general area.

“After the successful bombardment, it was confirmed from feedback that 7 terrorists kingpins, namely; Jibrin Gurgu, Isah Jauro and Tambuwal from Zamfara State were eliminated from the strikes, others are Noti, Bala, Yunusa and Burti who were on the watch lists of security agents were all neutralized with their foot soldiers. Equally, a follow up air interdiction operation was carried out against terrorist in their enclaves in Tofa and Kiyawa in Igabi and Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Feedback received, revealed that, the terrorists suffered heavy casualties from the bombardment.”

In the South East zone of the Country, troops in conjunction with other security services raided identified Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network hideout at Ugwulangu community in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Following the operation, 4 suspected criminals were arrested, the combine team also recovered 16 motorcycles, 4 generating sets, 4 gas cylinders, television sets, and 5 mobile phones among other items.

“On 12 December 2022, the combined team of security agencies raided another Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals camp at Agu Egedegede forest of Obeagu community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state. During the operation, troops arrested 10 criminals, destroyed their camp as well recovered 1 locally fabricated pistol, 2 dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 2 cartridges, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special, 3 woodland camouflage and 1 desert camouflage uniforms among other items.

“Equally, troops responded to a distress call on the attack of the Independence National Electorate Commission (INEC) office at Owerri metropolis in Imo State by the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals on 12 December 2022.

Following the engagement by troops 3 criminals were neutralized, while 3 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns, petrol bombs, some explosives, and 4 vehicles among other items were recovered. Troops also came in contact with suspected criminals while on fighting patrols to a suspected criminal hideout at Iyonu forest in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, during the encounter, troops neutralized one of their kingpins who was on the wanted list of security agents as well arrested one suspect while other fled.

Troops also recovered one pump action gun, 4 cartridges, one locally made pistol, one camouflage uniform, 2 mobile phones and other sundry items. Troops also responded to Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals activities along Nkalagu-Railway Junction and made contact with the criminals, during the encounter troops neutralized 1 criminal and recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special and mobile phones among other items.