Troops Arrest Bulama Modu With 67 PVCs At Maiduguri IDPs Camp; Arrests 60 in Abuja over illegal mining activities; Kills many terrorists in N East/N West; Deny Oil Thieves over N2.4billion Crude Oil Products,

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said, troops of Operation Hadin Kai in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested one Mr Bulama Modu in possession of 67 Permanent Voters Cards in Maiduguri.

Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Musa Danmadami who made this known at a briefing on Thursday said the suspect is currently in troops custody for further interrogation adding that in the same camp, a known terrorist Mr Lawan Yashin who attempted to escape upon sighting troops was neutralized.

Danmadami also noted that troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30 October and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered 5 Dane guns and locally fabricated gun, 14 cutlasses, 4 sledge hammers, 25 motorcycles, 1 vehicle and other items. Troops on the same day also arrested 2 trailers loaded with illegal mined items.

He said troops neutralized 19 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, arrested 27 others and recovered 1 RPG bomb, 1 GPMG, 2 by 36 hand grenade, 6 AK47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm special, 36 refilled 7.62 mm special, 3 AK47 magazines and 3 magazine holders.

In the South East, he said troops neutralized five IPOB/ESN militants after a gun fight at Orsumoghu village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

In the fight against crude oil theft, he said troops foiled attempts by oil thieves to siphon crude oil products worth over N2.4billion while 11 illegal refinery sites and 480 illegal storage tanks were discovered and destroyed.

Danmadami said, “Troops of operation Hadin Kai between 20 October to 2 November 2022, conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search operations at different locations in Bama, Kukawa, Kaga, and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno State as well as Damaturu, Gujba and Geidam Local Government Areas in Yobe States.

“On the 20 October 2022, troops in conjunction with Department of State Security personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force made contact with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Buduwa and Banki villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized 1 terrorist while other fled with gunshot injuries.

“Also, 1 terrorist surrendered to own troops and hand over 1 AK47 rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 baofeng radio, 2 mobile phones, 1 camel pack amongst other items. On the same day, 2 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists were arrested in Damaturu, Yobe State.

“During the period in focus, a total of 145 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprising 30 adult males, 33 adult females and 82 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation.

“Also, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai on 21 October 2022 conducted air interdiction mission on a terrorist convoy movement along Tunbum Aliyu, near Lake Chad, a terrorist location Southwest of Maiduguri.

“The strikes eliminated several terrorists as well as seven gun trucks and other materials. Similarly, based on credible intelligence of terrorist hibernating in enclaves in Abulum and Njibul near Sambisa forest, the air component struck the locations simultaneously and eliminated scores of terrorists while the injured ones were observed to be have scampered for safety.

“Troops in the North Central Zone in a coordinated operation between the land component and the air component, troops repelled an attack by the Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa State Province terrorists at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. Following the engagement, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and captured 5.

“Additionally, troops recovered 1 HK 21 gun, 1 PKT gun, 598 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 676 rounds of 7.62 special, 3,902 rounds of AK49 ammunition, 2 RPG tubes, 7 RPG bombs, 1 grenade and 3 cartons of Improvised Explosive Devices accessories. Other items include 2 vehicles, 2 motorola radios, 2 radio chargers, cartons of drip, motorcycles, mobile phones and other sundry items.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NDLEA operatives on 28 October 2022 raided identified drug peddlers hideout around North bank in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

“During the operation, 14 suspected illicit drug peddlers were arrested, with large quantities of substance suspected to be hard drugs.

“Troops of Operations Safe Haven conducted raid operation at Burgel town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Tangur village and Dorowa Bukuru town in Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

“During the raid operation, troops arrested 5 suspected kidnappers. Items recovered from the suspects were 2 wooden fabricated rifles, 1 round of 7.62mm special, 1 mobile phone, substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, and other illicit drugs.

“Troops also raided villages in Qu’an Pan, Jos South, Jos East and Jema’s Local Government Areas of Plateau and Kaduna States and arrested 2 suspected drug peddlers, 3 suspected armed robbers and 2 suspected kidnappers.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke based on intelligence on the movement of suspected kidnappers on Road Takun-Wakari in Taraba State, neutralized 2 suspected kidnappers as they attempted to escape on sighting own troops at their hideout.

“Items recovered were 2 mobile phones, 1 power bank, 1 identification card, 1 bag containing charms, 1 bag containing drugs and the sum of Eight Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N865,460.00) amongst others.

“Similarly, on 29 October 2022, credible information revealed that a kidnapper kingpin who was an escapee from the Jos prison break was at Farin Kasa in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“Troops responded promptly and the suspect was neutralized while trying to escape from his hideout. Troops also neutralized a notorious kidnappers identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi in Goro village of Plateau State while equally trying to escape from his hideout.

“Troops of operation Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch in the North West Zone
conducted operational activities at various locations within Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi States between 21 October – 2 November 2022.

“During the various operation, troops neutralized 25 terrorists, rescued 19 civilians and arrested 18 terrorists. Troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles with 3 magazines containing 69 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 round of 9mm, 2 pump action guns, 3 cartridges, 12 dane guns, 3 locally made pistol, 18 mobile phones, 4 motorcycle and recovered 441 rustled cattles.

“Notably, troops of Operation Whirl Punch on 23 October 2022 responded to the presence of terrorist at Abasia – Amala villages, East of Polewire and Maidaro villages in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with the terrorist.

During the encounter, troops neutralized 2 terrorists, recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 2 magazines containing 38 rounds of 7.62mm special, 14 mobile phones, one dane gun, 2 baofeng radios as well as 11 motorcycles which were destroyed.

“Similarly, on 24 October 2022 troops of Operation Whirl Punch conducted fighting patrol along Road Buruku – Angwan Yako – Udawa in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with terrorist. Following a fire fight the terrorist fled leaving their kidnapped victims. Troops exploited area and rescued 10 civilians and recovered 3 vehicles.

“Equally, on 27 October 2022 troops conducted clearance patrol in Anka and Faskari Local Government Areas of Zamfara and Katsina States. Troops neutralized 2 bandits, rescued 9 kidnapped victims, recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 motorcycle and 2 mobile phones.

“In a related development, on the same day, based on credible information on Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist activities at Dumburum forest west of Kwari village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State, the air component of Hadarin Daji carried out air bombardment at the identified terrorists location.

“Feedback of the air strike revealed that scores of terrorists were neutralized with others badly injured following the air strike.

“Similarly, on 30 October 2022, troops on fighting patrol along Road Bindi – Gobirwan, Chali village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State made contact with terrorist. During the encounter troops neutralized 1 terrorist while others fled with gun shot injuries.

“Troops also recovered 1 AK47 loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm special and 1 motorcycle amongst others. Also, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji on 21 October 2022 conducted an air strike at Maradum Local Government Area of Zamfara State, on an identified terrorist leader’s location.

Credible intelligence revealed that the terrorist leader and foot soldiers had scheduled an early-morning meeting in a location, while their logistics base where ammunitions, vehicles, motorcycles and other ill-gotten loots were stored in another location. Consequently, air sticks were carried out simultaneously at both locations and feedbacks, confirmed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.

“The maritime and land component of Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of operation Octopus Grip conducted operational activities at creeks, waterways, communities, villages, towns and cities within Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States between 20 October – 2 November 2022.

“During the operations, troops discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 35 wooden boats, 304 storage tanks, 172 cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 5 drums, 2 reservoirs, 2 illegal bunkering camp and 6 illegal bunkering boats.

“Troops also recovered 34,547 barrels of crude oil, 650,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 10,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 7 pumping machines, 7 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, 1 double barrel gun, 2 live cartridges and arrested 5 pipeline vandals.

“In a related development, troops of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo in the sustained fight against oil theft and maritime illegalities between 23 – 30 October 2022 discovered and destroyed 11 illegal refineries, 107 metal storage tanks, 5 wooden boats, 58 dugout pits, 38 ovens, 6 fibre boats, 28 reservoirs, 15 jerrycans, 2 pumping machines, 20,000 brls of crude oil and 167,900 litres of Automotive Gas Oil.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review, oil thieves were denied a total of 54,547 brls of crude oil, 817, 900 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 10,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine amounting to the sum of Two Billion Four Hundred and Thirty Five Million Twenty One Thousand Three Hundred Forty Three Naira Ninety Four Kobo (N2,435,021,343.94)

“Also, on 31 October 2022, following intelligence on Eastern Security Network criminals attack on Ikwere community in Ikwere Local Government Area and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) office in Port Harcourt Local Government Area in Rivers State.

“Troops in conjunction with operatives of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) tracked and raided the criminals location and arrested 2 Eastern Security Network criminals kingpins at Oyigbo in Oyigbo Local Government Area of River State.

“Troops recovered 2 Ak47 rifles, 285 rounds of 7.62mm special, 84 rounds 7.62mm NATO, 1 empty magazine, 2 mobile phones, 3 sim packs, a file containing documents, 3 ATM cards, NIN certificate, voters cards and charms.

In the South East, troops while on duty at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State were attacked by suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

,”Troops however, repelled the attack and arrested 1 of the criminals, recovered 2 pistols and 4 rounds of 9mm ammo. Also, on the same day, following a tip-off, troops arrested a known armed robber at Ibagwa community in Igbo-Eze Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Troops recovered 1 locally made revolver pistol, 2 mobile phones and 1 motorcycle. Suspect in troops custody for further action.

“Also, on 24 October 2022, troops and Nigerian Police personnel on fighting patrol around Nkwere forest in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State came in contact with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals mounted on SUVs and motorcycles, who fled on sighting troops.

“Troops pursued the criminals and engaged with superior fire, forcing them to abandon their vehicles and motorcycles. Troops exploited the area and recovered 2 SUV vehicles, 3 motorcycles, cooking utensils amongst others. All recovered items are in troops custody for further necessary action.

“In another development between 21 October – 2 November 2022, troops conducted anti-illegal bunkering operation to Ama-Hausa Arugu and Umuokabia Ugodo villages in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

“During the operation, troops discovered and destroyed illegal bunkered oil in 79 sacks of 50 litres Automotive Gas Oil each, 8 gallons of 25 litres, 3 nylons with 3 drum containing refined products, arrested a bus and 2 suspects conveying illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1 Toyota Avalon containing 1,200 litres of Automotive Gas Oil.

“Troops also discovered a loading point in an abandoned filling station with 3 vehicles containing 1,400 litres each of diesel and 2 tanks containing 1,000 litres each of diesel.

“Furthermore, troops conducted a clearance operation at the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network Camp at Amu Agba community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and made contact with the criminals who fled following a fire fight.

“Troops exploited the area and recovered 4 motorcycles, 32 rounds of 5.56mm, 1 round of 7.62mm NATO, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 1 dane gun and 4 IEDs amongst others.

“Also, on 27 October 2022 troops in conjunction with Nigeria Police and Department of State Service conducted clearance operation on the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network camp at Orsumoghu village in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Troops made contact with criminals and in a fire fight neutralized 5 criminals, arrested 2 and recovered 1 Ak47 rifle, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 dane gun, 4 locally fabricated composite Improvise Explosive Devices, 1 single barrel rifle, 15 locally fabricated mortar tubes, 1 pistol hoister, military uniforms, 1 motorcycles, 1 power generating set among others.

“Also, on 28 October 2022, troops of Operation Delta Safe in conduct of Operation Dakatar Da Barawo acting on credible intelligence discovered an illegal acquired crude oil trucking point in Oseakwa town, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Troops intercepted 2 wooden boats laden with 30,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 102 nylon sacks of crude oil were found offloaded near the boats, 1 unit 30,000 litres metal storage tank, 2 units 15,000 litres Geepee tank filled with 30,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 6 drum filled with Automotive Gas Oil and 2 pumping machines.”

END