Insecurity: Troops Neutralized 165 Terrorists, Rescued 105 Kidnapped Victims and Denied Oil Theft of N1.30billion

Combined troops of the military neutralized 165 terrorists, arrested 185
and rescued 106 hostages during gunfight encounters in the last one week.

In the Niger Delta, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Six Million One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N1,306,140.00) and recovered 1,239,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 308,195 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,120 litres of DPK amongst others.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba who made this known of Friday said “Troops recovered 145 weapons, 8,926 ammunitions comprising 69 AK47 rifles, 31 locally fabricated guns, 38 Dane guns, 2 PKT guns, 3,112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3,094 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,720 rounds of 7.62mm x 38mm ammo, 5 assorted arms and 269 assorted ammunitions.

Detailing the engagements, Buba said, “Troops of Operation Hadun Kai in the North East neutralized 48 terrorists, arrested 36 suspects and rescued 17 kidnappers hostages.

“Troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricate rifles, 11 Dane guns, 2 PKT guns, 1,306 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 221 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 204 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammo, one vehicle, 13 motorcycles 3 mobile phones 2 boefeng radios and the sum of N135,000.00 only.

“Between 4 – 9 September 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Askira Uba, Danboa,Gwoza and Konduga LGAs of Borno State as well as Bunin Yadi, Yunusari and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 18 terrorists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 5 Dane guns, 4 fabricated rifles, one PKT gun, 1,125 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 7.62, NATO ammo, 50 rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm ammo, one vehicle and 4 motorcycles.

“Between 4 – 9 September 2024, Following report, troops intercepted and arrested 12 terrorists collaborators in Askira Uba, Konduga, Kaga, Gwoza and Bunin Yadi LGAs of Borno State. Following the arrests, troops recovered one vehicle, 4 motorcycles and 2 bicycles as well as the sum of N135,000.00 only amongst other items.

“On 5 and 7 September 2024, troops following reports, troops in separate offensive operations intercepted and arrested 16 BH/ISWAP terrorists logistics supplier in Kukawa, Dikwa and Ngazai LGA of Borno State as well as Gujba and Gubio LGAs of Yobe State.

“On 5 September 2024, following report on terrorists activities made contact with 2 separate groups of terrorists in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 12 terrorists. Troops also recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 4 dane guns, 2 fabricated rifles, one PKT belted link containing 154 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm special ammo, 103 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 71 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 9 motorcycle and 2 boefeng radios.

“Following the flood disaster within the theatre, between 8 – 10 September 2024, a total of 24 boats provided by the theatre to assists in evacuating residents of MMC Borno to a safer environment.

“In the North Central, 6.troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 6 violent extremists, arrested 25 violent extremists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one fabricated AK 47 Rifle, 2 fabricated FN rifles, 4 dane guns, 269 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 magazines, 2 mobile phones, and the sum of N2,200,000.00 only amongst others.

“Between 3 – 9 September 2024, troops while on separate offensive operations, responded to distress calls about violent extremists activities in Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State. On arrival troops neutralized 4 extremis/kidnappers, arrested 5 and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages.

“On 4 and 6 September 2024, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping operations, arrested 3 extremists in Bokkos and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State. Troops recovered one dane gun, 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one motorcycle.

“Between 3 – 6 September 2024, troops responded to distress calls about herder militia activities and made contact in Mandu, Bokkos and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 2 militias and arrested one extremist. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 47 cattle amongst other items.

“Between 6 – 10 September 2024, following report, troops in separate operations, arrested 11 kidnappers/criminals and miners as well as rescued 5 kidnapped victims in Bassa, Mangu, Riyom and Jos South and Akwanga LGAs of Plateau and Nasarawa States. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 fabricated guns and 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 24 terrorists, arrested 17 violent extremists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 3 dane guns, one single barrel guns, one pump action, 265 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 live cartridges, 4 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones.

“On 4 and 6 September 2024, troops in separate fighting patrols made contact with violent extremists in Ukum, Gwer West and Makurdi LGAs of Benue State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 7 extremists, arrested 11 and rescued 6 kidnapped victims.

“Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one pump actions, 3 dane guns, one fabricated rifle, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 12 live cartridges, 3 motorcycles amongst other items.

“On 4 and 5 September 2024, troops conducted offensive operations made contact with with violent extremist in Jalingo, Wukari and Sardauna LGAs of Taraba State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralizes 9 terrorists and rescued 4 hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifles, one dane gun and 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

“On 8 and 9 September 2024, troops responded to distress calls about violent extremists activities in Kwande and Gboko LGAs of Benue State and arrested 3 extremists. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one motorcycle.

“On 6 September 2024, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping/criminality operations arrested one female informant to kidnappers in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 44 terrorists,
arrested 23 terrorists and rescued 41 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 16 Dane guns, one 60mm motar launcher, 649 rounds
of 7.62mm special ammo, 252 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 65 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 8 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 4 September 2024, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping operation in Kankara and Malumfashi LGAs of Katsina State rescued 4 kidnapped victims.

“On 4 September 2024, troops while on patrol, arrested one drug peddler identified as Mr David Ombu in possession of a parcel containing substance suspected to be cannabis sativa concealed in a black laptop bag.

“Between 4 – 8 September 2024, troops with hybrid Forces in separate intensive clearance operations made contact with terrorists in Giwa, Zaria, Birnin Gwari, Chikun LGAs of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 6 violent extremists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 3 dane guns, 2 locally fabricated rifles, one 60mm motar launcher tube, 198 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 155 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 65 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo.

“Between 4 – 9 September 2024, troops while on separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Zurmi and Danmusa LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Kebbe LGA of Sokoto State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 9 terrorists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated guns, 3 dane guns 240 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo 3 mobile phones, 2 motorcycles amongst other items.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 36 terrorists, arrested 9 suspects and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one PKT gun, 21 AK47 rifles, 7 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 1,529 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo2,,621 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,720 rounds of 7.62 x 38mm ammo 3 magazines and 8 one motorcycles

“On 3 – 8 September 2024, troops in conjunction with ONSA, NP, DSS Assets conducted offensive operations to Kuyeri Hills/Gidan Dogo Forest general area within Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and Bwari Area Council of the FCT.

“During the operations, troops neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 17 violent extremist/kidnappers including terrorist arms courier and rescued 14 kidnapped victims,.

“Troops recovered 13 AK 47 rifles, one Galil rifle, 5 dane guns, 4 fabricated rifles, 2,621 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo, 1,380 rounds of 5.56 mm ammo, 2,720 rounds of 7.62 mm x 38 mm ammo, 2 extra AK 47 rifle magazines and one G3 rifle magazines.

“On 4 September 2024, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping operation responded to report on activities of kidnappers in Tafa LGA of Niger State and made contact. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 3 criminals and rescued the victim, troops also recovered 2 dane guns one fabricated AK47 rifle 55 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

“On 6 September 2024, troops while on offensive operation received One AK47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo recovered from fleeing terrorists by Hybrid Force in Chikun LAG of Kaduna State.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 51 illegal refining sites, 47 cooking ovens, 4 vehicles, one motorcycles. Additionally, Troops apprehended 14 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists.

Troops recovered 1,239,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 308,195 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,120 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 32 dugout pits, 42 boats, 6 speedboats, one tugboat, one barge, 38 drums and 31 storage tanks.

“On 2 September 2024, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested 2 kidnappers collaborators in Owan West LGA of Edo State while negotiating the process of collecting ransom from relatives of victims that were kidnapped on 31 August 2024.

“On 3 and 5 September 2024, following a tip-off, troops intercepted and arrested 3 drugs peddlers including a child trafficker in Sapele and Oshimili LGAs of Delta State. Troops rescued 2 minors.

“”In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 7 extremists, arrested 7 violent extremists and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 5 Pump Actions, one fabricated pistol, 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 65 live cartridges, one magazine, one vehicle, 2 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones.

“Between 3 – 9 September 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN Violent extremists in Orsu, Mbano, Obowo and Ihiala LGAs of Imo State. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 4 IPOB/ESN violent extremists, arrested 3 and rescued 5 kidnapped victims.

“Troops recovered 2 pump action, one AK47 rifle, IEDs/IED materials, one extra magazine 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 23 live cartridges, solar panel, one vehicle and one motorcycle.

“On 4 September 2024, troops while on routine patrol in Orsu LGA of Imo State discovered planted IEDs in 2 sperate spots. And successful recovered the planted IEDs.

“On 6 and 8 September 2024, troops arrested 4 IPOB/ESN members in Udenu and Igbo-Eze South LGAs of Enugu State. Troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol, 11 cartridge, 3 mobile phones and and one motorcycle.

“On 6 September 2024, troops in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State were ambushed and attacked by IPOB/ESN members but successfully repelled the attack and neutralized 3 IPOB/ESN violent extremists.

“Troops recovered 3 pump action one fabricated pistol, 6 rounds of 9mm ammo and 31 live cartridges.

The DMO added that, “1. Troops remain in a good and strong position in ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the country pointing out that “troops are also ensuring to bring stability in every area of the country where it is needed.

“To buttress this, troops deployed over 23 boats in evacuating residents of Maiduguri Municipal Council to move distressed resident affected by flood safer environment. Operation is ongoing.

“Troops will continue to operate with tremendous force against terrorist and violent extremists across the country. Accordingly, We will work tirelessly to stop insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens.”