The Military High Command has confirmed that troops of Operation Hadin Kai in a joint Land and Air coordinated attack related development, on 3 September 2022, the land and air attack on identified terrorist enclaves at Gaucherie in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State dealt a deadly blow on the terrorists, as their enclaves were bombarded leading to the elimination of over 200 terrorists.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Madami who made this known while briefing the media on military operations across the country also stated that 52 Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province fighters were neutralized and 14 terrorists arrested during encounters in Kukawa, Dikwa, Bama, Kaga, Monguno, Guzamala, Konduga, Gwoza and Mafa Local Government Areas all in Borno State as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
“Troops also rescued 3 abducted Chibok girls named Jinkai Yama, Falmata Lawal and Asabe Ali who were on serial 3, 20 and 24 of the abducted Chibok girls list. They were rescued at different locations with their children and 19 other abductees.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 2 unexploded grenades, 12 AK 47 rifles, 3 FN rifles, 5 AK47 magazine, 1 automatic grenade launcher, 1 hand grenade, 1 AP mine, 86 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one motorcycle, 16 bows and arrows, 7 bicycles and 10 mobile phones. Furthermore
“Also, a suspected foreign logistic supplier and arms dealer to the Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province named Mallam Abatcha Bukar was equally arrested with assorted injections, 2 Automated Teller Machine Cards and the sum of N294,520.00 only.
“Equally, a total of 556 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families, comprised of 115 Adult males, 189 females and 252 children, surrendered to own troops at different locations. All arrested suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authority while the surrendered terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action”.
In the North Central zone, Madami said, “Tactical surveillance troops arrested a Boko Haram informant named Mamuda Usman (aka Bado) in Asokoro, the Federal Capital Territory” noting, “It was revealed that the suspect ran errands for a suspected high profiled Boko Haram Terrorist Commander in Kaduna, who is on the tracking list of security agencies. The arrested suspect is in custody for further action”.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke responded swiftly to two separate kidnapping incidents at ChaChangi village in Takun Local Government Area and Rafin Kada village in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Consequently, troops embarked on rescue operation and exchanged fire with the bandit and arrested Mr Alex Apera aged 26 years and Mr. Umaru Halilu aged 34 years. All arrest and rescued victims were handed over to the relevant authority for further action”.
“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji on 3rd September 2022, responded to distressed call on terrorist’s activities at Kurar Mota in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, during the encounter troop neutralized 3 of the terrorists while others fled with gun wound. One of the neutralized terrorists was identified as Dan Nijar Bala, a notorious terrorist who has been on the wanted list of troops and noted for series of kidnapping incidents and attacks in the general area.
“On 30 August 2022 an air interdiction operation was carried out at Alhaji Isiaka village, Kuduru in Igabi Local Government Area and Udawa along Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road in kaduna State. Consequently, air bombardment was carried out at those locations and feedback of the airstrikes from the 2 locations revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with several others injured.
“Also, troops arrested a suspected Boko Haram Terrorist arm dealer named Hamza Dogo in Zamfara. Items recovered from the suspect include; 2 AK47 rifles, 8 magazines, 200 rounds of 7.62mm and 1 Pontiac vehicle.
“Consequently, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 38 suspected terrorists, rescued 61 civilians, recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 3 locally made guns, 4 fabricated revolver rifles, 253 rounds of 7.62mm special, 68 motorcycles, 15 mobile phones, 3 woodland camouflages, 1 police uniform, 2 pairs of combat boots, 29 rustled cattle and 2 vehicles.
In the fight against economic sabotage, Gen Madami said, “Troops of Operation Delta Safe in in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip and Operation Dakata Da Barawo conducted patrols and anti-illegal oil bunkering and swap buggy operation at different locations in the Niger Delta region, within towns, villages, communities and creeks in Bayelsa and Rivers State respectively.
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“Notably, on 28 August 2022, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Soroh on patrol at Forupa area of Bayelsa State arrested a suspected sea robber name Mr. Dibo who has been on the watch list of wanted pirates. The suspect and his gang have been terrorizing and robbing passenger boats, along Southern Ijaw and its environs.
“Similarly, troops raided suspected criminals hide out at Iriebe village in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State and arrested 20 suspects with large quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.
“Also, troops of Operation Delta Safe within the period discovered and destroyed 67 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 218 storage tanks, 168 cooking ovens, and 61 dugout pits.
“Troops also recovered Two Million and Seventy Thousand litres of crude oil, Seven Hundred and Six Thousand (706,000) litres of Automotive Gas Oil, Fifteen Thousand Five Hundred (15,500) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, Sixty-Seven Thousand (67,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 8 trucks, 3 pumping machines, 3 outboard engines and 3 generators, while, 5 pipelines vandals were also arrested.
“Consequently, the cost implication of product seized are, Six Hundred and Sixty Four Million Eight Hundred Sixty Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Seven Naira Forty Five Kobo (N664,867,307) for crude oil, Five Hundred Forty Six Million Seven Hundred Twelve Thousand Two Hundred Eighty Naira (N546,712,280.00) for Automotive Gas Oil, while, Twelve Million Two Hundred and Forty One Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N12,241,125.00) for Dual Purpose Kerosine and Eleven Million Eight Hundred and Three Thousand Seven and Fifty Naira (N11,803,750.00) for Premium Motor Spirit, all valued at sum total One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty Five Million Six Hundred Twenty Four Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Two Naira and Forty Five Kobo (N1,235,624,462.) was denied oil thieves during the period under review.
In the South East Zone, troops on fighting patrol came in contact with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal at Idemiri in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the encounter 2 of the criminal were neutralized while others fled with gunshot wounds.
“In Imo State, Police raided the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal camp at Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State. The hoodlum’s engaged the Police in a gun duel but were overpowered.
“During the operation 5 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals were neutralized while 3 pump action guns, 2 locally made double barrels’ guns, 4 locally made pistols, 4 Improvised Explosive Devices, and other weapons and assorted ammunition as well as military and police uniforms, large quantities of assorted hard drugs among others were recovered from the suspected criminals.
In the South West Zone. “Troops of Operation Awatse through Operation Swift Response sustained their operation to curb illegal activities of smugglers of contrabands goods in the border area.
“On 26 August 2022, troops of 81 Division at a checkpoint along Ilaro-Benin Republic border area, foiled an attempt to smuggled Seven Hundred and Ninety-Two (792) parcels of illicit drugs suspected to be cannabis sativa into the country.
“The parcels of the Indian hemp were concealed in a truck coming from outside the Country. It was estimated that the suspected illicit drugs were worth about Ten Million Naira (N10,000,000.00) only.
“Similarly, joint border patrol troops conducted anti-smuggling operations at Sawa – Sawa village along Owode-Apa bush path in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State. Similar, operation was carried out at Oke-Agbede Waterside in Imeko Afon Local Government Area, Oyan Waterside, Yewa South, Yewa North and Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
“Consequently, a total of 449, 30 litres Jerri cans of Premium Motor Spirit, 529, 50kg bags of foreign rice and 1 vehicle were recovered. All recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Custom Services Abeokuta, Ogun State.”
Meanwhile, the Defence headquarters has debunked allegations that soldiers are involved in oil bunkering and siphoning activities which the NNPC said is responsible for the loss of about 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Jimmy Akpor said rather officials of the Senior Staff Association of Petroleum and Natural Gas Association (PENGASSAN) should beam their search light on other stakeholders in the oil industry.
Reiterating that the military through Operation Delta Safe was doing a lot in dismantling thousands of illegal refinery sites, storage tanks, cooking pots and recovering millions of liters stolen crude oil and products, Gen Akpor said, “If you look at the terrain where these activities are taking place, holding soldiers responsible is like making them the canon folder or the weeping child which is wrong”
“Soldiers are doing their job. The stakeholders including the oil companies should do their job. You are all witnesses to the recent effort of the Navy which prevented a super tanker, MT Heroic Idun from loading 3million barrels of crude valued at over $300million. You will also recall that Operation Delta Safe has denied oil thieves several billions of naira
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