Troops fighting against terrorists, and other criminal elements across the country have neutralized 43 terrorists and arrested 132 others in the first week of 2024.
Troops also rescued 39 kidnapped civilans after several encounters while a total of 87 assorted weapons and 666 assorted ammunition were recovered.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba made this known on Friday, noting that troops in the Niger Delta discovered and destroyed 25 illegal crude oil refining sites, 24 cooking ovens, 29 boats, and 31 storage tanks.
Troops also denied the oil theft criminals, stealing of the estimated sum of N159.65million (One Hundred and Fifty Nine Million Six Hundred and Fifty Two Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Naira) worth of products
“Troops recovered 315,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,158 litres of DPK.
The weapons and ammunition recovered are 11 AK47 rifles, one FN rifles, 2 pump action guns, 8 locally fabricated guns, 11 Dane guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, one macarrol pistol, one berretta pistol, one fabricated SMG, one locally made mortar with one empty bomb, 4 IEDs.
Others are 17 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 592 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 rounds of 7.5mm ammo, one round of 9mm ammo and 36 live cartridges as well as the sum of N1,601,370.00 amongst other items.
Giving details of the ooerations he said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 8 terrorists, arrested 10 and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 6 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, one fabricated SMG, 12 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 257 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines, one boafeng HH radio, one vehicle, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 2 mobile phones, 15 bicycle and the sum of N77,410.00.
“Troops ambushed BH/ISWAP terrorists in Biu, Bama and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters surrendered to troops in Dikwa LGA of Borno State.
“Troops discovered and detonated IEDs in Gujba and Damboa LGAs of Yobe and Borno States respectively. Troops discovered ammo and arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists collaborators in MMC, Gubio, Ngala, Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State.
“Between 27 December and 1 Jan 2024, troops in separate operations ambushed terrorists in Biu, Bama and Konduga LGAs of Borno State.
“During the operations, troops made contact with terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists and recovered one 2 Ak47 rifles, one FN rifle, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one vehicle, 15 bicycles and PMS amongst other items.
“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 20 and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 fabricated pistols, one locally fabricated rifles, one locally made mortar with one empty bomb, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 10 live cartridges, 3 magazines, 8 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N1,482,720.00.
“Troops raided suspected kidnappers hideouts in Riyom LGA of Plateau State, as well as arrested suspected extremists in Zango Kataf and Bokkos LGAs of Kaduna and Plateau States respectively. Troops also arrested suspected kidnappers in Jos East LGA of Plateau State.
“Between 29 and 31 December 2023, acting on credible Intelligence, troops in separate operations arrested 3 suspected extremists in Zango Kataf and Bokkos LGAs of Kaduna and Plateau States respectively. The suspects have been on security agencies watch list.
“On 28 and 29 December 2023, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Riyom and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, troops arrested 11 suspected criminals. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifle magazines, 3 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones.
“On 1 January 2024, based on credible intelligence, troops with hybrid forces arrested 2 suspected kidnappers in Jos East LGA of Plateau State. Troops recovered the sum of One Million Four Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira (₦1,482,720.00) only.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized one terrorist, arrested 10 terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 4 Dane guns, one locally made pistol, one magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 empty cases of 7.62mm special and one round of 9mm ammo.
“On 27 December 2023, troops arrested an alleged murderer in Keana LGA of Nasarawa State. The suspect identified as Samuel Uklan is alleged to be connected with the murder of one Mr Daniel Oinringiir on 26 Dec 23.
Troops recovered one locally made pistol, magazine and a rounds of 9mm ammo.
“On 30 December 2023, troops with hybrid forces arrested 2 suspected kidnappers’ collaborators in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State. Preliminary investigation revealed that suspect to be involved in the kidnap and killing of one Alhaji Haruna after collection of ransom.
“”In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 18 terrorists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 7 locally made guns, 7 dane guns, one locally made pistol, 2 bandoliers, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 magazines, 2 vehicles, 17 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N16,850
“Troops conducted offensive operations in Batsari and Jibia LGAs of Katsina State. Troops conducted fighting patrols in Kankara, Jibia and Batsari LGAs of Katsina State as well as Illela, Isa and Birnin Magaji LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively.
 Additionally, Troops arrested suspected violent extremists/insurgents and collaborators in Shiroro and Danmusa LGAs of Niger and Katsina States respectively as well as Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State.
 “On 28 and 30 December 2023, troops in a separate operations conducted fighting patrols and rescued kidnapped hostages in Faskari and Funtua LGAs of Katsina State. During the operations, troops rescued 11 kidnapped hostages.
“On 30 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, troops while conducting cordon and search operations arrested suspected violent extremists/insurgents collaborators in Danmusa and Tsafe LGAs of Katsina and Zamfara States respectively. During operations, troops arrested 6 suspected extremist collaborators. Troops recovered food stuffs, 3 mobile phones, PMS and the sum of N16,850.00 amongst other items.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 11 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, one macarrol pistol, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 rounds of 7.5mm ammo, one magazine, one mobile phone and the sum of N28,700.00.
“On 28 December 2023, troops responded to information on activities of kidnappers in Bwari Area Council of the FCT. Troops made no contact with terrorists. Troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine and 27 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
“On 30 December 2023 and 1 January 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations raided a suspected extremists hideouts in Bwari Area Council of FCT and Tsafe LGA of Niger State respectively.
“During the operations, troops arrested 11 suspects. One of the suspects claimed to be a serving ASP in the Nigerian Police attached to the IGP as bodyguard.
“Others include; suspected Informant/collaborators and kidnappers. Troops recovered one Macarrol pistol, 4 rounds of 7.5mm ammo, one mobile phone and the sum of Twenty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Naira (₦28,700.00) only. Investigation ongoing.
“In Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 315,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,200 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,158 litres of DPK.
“Additionally, Troops discovered and destroyed 20 dugout pits, 29 boats, 31 storage tanks, one tricycle and 3 vehicles.
“Other items recovered include 24 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and 25 illegal refining sites.
“Troops also apprehended 17 suspected oil thefts and other criminals elements as well as recovered 3 weapons and 12 assorted ammunitions.
 In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 3 criminals, arrested 13 suspected IPOB/ESN extremist and rescued 21 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, 4 IEDs, 174 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16 live cartridges, 6 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 6 magazines, one vehicle, one motorcycle, 12 mobile phones and one radio.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“Troops responded to kidnap Incidents in Nkpologu and Afikpo LGAs of Enugu and Ebonyi States respectively. Troops raided suspected violent extremists hideouts in Afikpo South, Ikwo and Enugu LGAs of Ebonyi and Enugu States respectively.
“Additionally, troops arrested wanted IPOB/ESN insurgent in Okigwe LGA of Imo State.”
