DHQ Declares 8 Persons including a woman wanted, a traditional ruler & a Professor wanted in connection with killing of 17 Army personnel in Okuoma, Delta state.

The Defence headquarterd has declared eight eight persons said to be involved with the killingnof 17 officers and soldiers, including a woman wanted noting the a banner of the wanted persons has been released.

They are Akeywru Daniel Omotegbowo aka Amagbem, Prof Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Igholi Ebi, Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki, Clemeng Ikolo Oghenerukevwe and Ruben Baru.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba made this known on Thursday even ss he warned that, “We must never allow the incident that occurred in Delta State that led to the killing of 17 soldiers that were buried on 27 March 2024 to ever happen again”.

He said that, “Prior to the ugly incident, the military had constructed several civic projects in Delta State as a sign of good will.

“For instance, the construction of Multipurpose Hall and Borehole Projects in Patani LGA and Medical Outreach at Aladja Community in Udu LGA all in Delta State, among several others.

“Accordingly, it is necessary to state that citizens are our first line of intelligence and must rise to the occasion in honour of their nation

“Needless to mention, the elders and community leaders have an obligation to expose these wanted persons.

“The armed forces is a force for stability that employs both kinetic and non netic measures to achieve the desired end state.

“Nevertheless, troops would continue with their efforts until the culprits are found ,arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.

On the rescue of kidnapped victims of Kuriga Primary school, Kaduna and the Almajiri sshool, Sokoto, he said, “The armed forces is bent on sustaining the winning ways of our operational engagements as demonstrated with the recent rescue of 16 and 137 hostages in Sokoto and Kaduna States, respectively.

“The rescue of these hostages is indicative of a better understanding of the dynamics of what we are dealing with and to address the issue in a much safer manner.

“The rescue operations was based on collaboration between the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated approach.

“The success demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to secure and protect the citizens against harm and acts of terror.

“The pressure of military operations created a significant level of distress both for the terrorist and the children.

“Given the situation, troops line of interest was the children. The level of distressed created by the children was sufficient enough for troops to exploit in their rescue.

“Additionally, cursory operations in the general areas by troops culminated in the neutralization of several terrorist leaders and commanders in Operation Hadarin Daji theatre of operation.

“The operations indicates that troops are weathering the storm through offensive posture and improved understanding of modus operandi of the adversary.

Accordingly, we are doing our best to rescue other hostages in terrorist captivity. Troops would also continue the elimination of threats posed by these terrorists and their cohorts.

“However, citizens should remember that they are our first line of intelligence. Therefore, as citizens, we have a collective responsibility of doing the right thing.

Speaking on other operations to rid the country of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminsl elements, Gen Buba said, “In the last one week, “Troops neutralised 212 and arrested 252 persons.

“Troops also arrested 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 244 kidnapped hostages.

In the Niger Delta,, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Fifty Million Seven and Fifteen Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Naira (N1,050,715,260.00).

“Troops discovered and destroyed 61 illegal refining sites, 102 dugout pits, 41 boats, 36 storage tanks, 39 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machines and recovered 8 vehicles.

“Troops recovered 944,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 171,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK.

During the fighting engagements with the criminal elements, troops recovered 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 assorted ammunition comprising 3 M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT gun, 24 locally fabricated gun, 36 Dane guns, 7 locally fabricated pistols, 3 locally made single barrel guns, 2 hand grenades and one locally made explosive and the sum of N857,960.00 amongst others

Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hdin Kai neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 137 and rescued 78 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 3 M56 rifles, 40 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, 13 fabricated rifles, 2 hand grenades, one locally made explosive, 889 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62 units of 25mm ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62 rounds 54mm ammo, 6 AK47 rifles magazines, 2 M56 rifle magazines, 2 magazine carriers and the sum of N340,500.00 amongst others.

“The air component of Operation Hadin Kai in multiple passes conducted air interdiction on terrorists hibernating in North West Arina Woje and Tumbum Shitu on 22 and 24 March 2024.

“The locations were observed to be active with terrorists activities and logistics. Consequently, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.

“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested 10 violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage.

“Troops recovered 2 PKT guns, one AK47 rifle, 4 locally fabricated pistols, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 17 rounds of 9mm ammo, 191 rounds of 7.62 rounds of 54mm ammo metal links ball, one vehicle and one mobile phone amongst other items.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 47 violent extremists, arrested 7 violent extremists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostage.

“Troops recovered 29 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated pistols, 13 locally made single barrel guns, 205 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 magazines, 2 motorcycles and one mobile phone and the sum of N270,00.00 amongst others.

“On 20 March 2024, troops with hybrid forces conducted offensive operation and made contact with terrorists in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State.

“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 28 terrorists and recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 2 dane guns, 142 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 magazines.

“Between 21 and 26 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted offensive operations and made contact with terrorists in Kachia, Chikun and Igabi LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Batsari LGA of Katsina State.

“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 34 terrorists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 4 dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, 211 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo, 4 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones.

“Between 21 and 25 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted counter/anti kidnapping operations in Gusau and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Yauri and Igabi LGAs of Kebbi and Kaduna States respectively.

“During the operations, troops arrested 5 suspects and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages.On 21 and 24 March 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 5 terrorists and their informant in Igabi and Giwa LGAs of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops recovered 3 mobile phones and the sum of N110,000.00.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hararin Daji neutralized 62 terrorists, arrested 12 terrorists and rescued 162 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 46 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, 352 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 magazines, 4 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amonsgt other items.

“The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorists commander Maudi Maudi’s and Mallam Aibo’s enclaves in Safana LGA of Katsina State.

“Following confirmatory ISR, the rocky terrain at the locations used by terrorists as hideout and forward base was acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures and logistic base destroyed.

“Additionally, following reports on the massing up of terrorists, the air component conducted air interdiction on location of interest in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. The location was acquired and engaged with rockets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.

Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 43 violent extremists recovered 2 Dane guns, 2 fabricated pistols, 2 cartridges, 3 motorcycles, one mobile phone and the sum of N137,460.00 amonsgt others.

“On 22 and 23 March 2024, the air component of Operation Wwhile Punch in several passes conducted armed recce missions and air interdiction at terrorists locations Yadi and Abu Bilal’s enclave in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.

“Following intensive and confirmatory ISR, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.

“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 11 terrorist and arrested 14 violent extremists.

‘Troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 254 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines and 3 vehicles amonsgt other. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

‘On 21 March 2024, troops raided a violent extremists/IPOB/ESN camp in Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State. Troops neutralized 11 violent extremists/IPOB member and recovered 10 AK47 rifle, 2 AK47 magazines, 254 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 vehicles.

“On 24 March 2024, troops while on patrol raided a violent extremists hideout and recovered one incomplete AK47 rifle concealed in a drum of engine oil in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State.

“On 20 and 25 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted counter/anti kidnapping operations in Igbo-eze and Afikpo LGAs of Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members.

“In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 29 suspected oil theft criminals and other violent extremists.

“Troops recovered 12 weapons and 113 assorted ammunitions.

“On 18 March 2024, following reports, troops raided a violent extremists/gunrunner hideout in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

“Suspect identified as Umoh Ekpeyak resident was raided sequel to a report from the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms/Light Weapons on the suspects suspicious activities.

‘On 21 and 25 March 2024, troops in separate operations conducted search and rescue operations in Ughelli South and Bururtu LGAs of Delta State.

“During the operations, troops arrested 5 violent extremists and recovered 10 Dane guns as well as 111 live cartridges.

“On 24 March 2024, Following report, troops raided the residence of one Mr Justice and recovered one Pump action gun and one cartridge in Eleme LGA of Rivers State.