Military Neutralizes 188 Terrorists, Bandits, Kidnappers in One Week  Rescue 133 Kidnapped Victims; Discover and Destroyed 21 Illegal Refining Sites

Troops fighting to rid the country of insecurity across the country, neutralized 188 terrorists and other criminal elements in the last one week while 133 kidnapped victims were rescued after several engagements.

Troops also arrested 366 criminal elements comprising terrorists, kidnappers, oil theft perpetrators and violent extemists.

In the Niger Delta, troops discovered and destroyed 21 illegal refinery sites, 51 dugout pits, 24 boats, 21 storage tanks and 28 cooking ovens among st others. Troops recovered 672,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,530 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba who made this known on Friday, said that during the encounters, troops recovered 270 assorted weapons and 5,083 assorted ammunition.

“They comprise 122 AK47 rifles, 47 locally fabricated gun, 47 Dane guns, 24 automatic pump action guns, 8 locally fabricated pistols, 2 locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel gun, one hand grenade and one IED.

“Others are: 2,129 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,686 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 116 rounds of 9mm ammo, 133 rounds of 7.62 units of 39mm ball ammo, 151 rounds of 7.62 units of 39mm ammo, 619 live cartridges, 34 magazines, 40 motorcycles, 50 mobile phones and the sum of N610,210.00 amongst other items.

Giving details of the operations, Gen Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin kai neutralized 68 terrorists, arrested 182 suspects and rescued 53 kidnappers hostages.

“Troops recovered 58 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, 14 fabricated guns, 12 dane guns, one hand grenade, one bandolier, 741 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 510 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 151 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 17 magazines, 4 baofeng radios, 3 magazine jackets, 6 motorcycles, 19 bicycles 14 mobile phones and the sum of N322,900.00 amongst others.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 14 insurgents, arrested 41 violent extremists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 11 AK47 rifle, 6 fabricated guns, 2 Dane guns, 2 foreign fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver pistol, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 72 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 56 live cartridges, one motorcycle and 6 mobile phones amongst others.

” Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 32 violent extremists and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 12 Dane guns, 2 locally made single barrel, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 338 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 133 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball ammo, 34 live cartridges, one vehicle, 7 motorcycles and 12 mobile phones amongst others.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 62 terrorists, arrested 43 terrorists and rescued 45 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 44 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated guns, 18 dane guns, one double barrel gun, 2 locally made pistols, 979 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 591 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 71 rounds of 9mm ammo, 17 magazines, 5 boafeng radio, 19 motorcycles, 6 bicycles and 10 mobile phones amonsgt other items.

“On 3 April 2024, following intelligence, the air component conducted air interdiction on terrorist hibernating in settlements in Kankara LGA of Katsina State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.

“Similary, on 4 April 2024, the air component conducted similar air interdiction sequel to previous day’s strike. Following sight and trailing of group of terrorists to a high ground, subsequently, target were attacked with rockets. Battle Damage Assessment by UAV revealed that several terrorists were eliminated with arms and ammunitions destroyed.

“Furthermore, following intelligence on the activities of two terrorist Commanders enclave, namely Abdullahi Nasanda’s and Mallam Tukur’s enclaves in Zurmi, Gusau and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State.

“On 10 April 2024, the air component acquired and engaged the targets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures as well as equipment were destroyed.

“Troops of Operation Whil Punch neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 3 dane guns, 7 fabricated guns, one locally made pistol, 175 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 6 cartridges, 2 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amonsgt others.

“On 4 April 2024, the air component of Operation WHIRL Punch conducted air interdiction on terrorist hibernating within Shiroro and Rafi LGAs of Niger State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.

“Similarly, on 6 April 2024, following intelligence the air component conducted air interdiction at a terrorist’s camp in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. The location was observed to be active with terrorists activities.

“Consequently, the location was acquired and engaged with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 672,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 90,530 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 51 dugout pits, 24 boats and 21 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 28 cooking ovens, 4 vehicles, 2 motorcycles and 21 illegal refining sites.

“Troops neutralized 9 insurgents and apprehended 67 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops recovered 23 weapons and 455 assorted ammunitions.

“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 15 terrorists, arrested 56 violent extremists and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 15 automatic pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, 10 IEDs, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 30 rounds of 9mm ammo, 355 live cartridges, 5 HH radios, one vehicle, 3 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N235,000.00 only amongst other.

Gen Buba continued, “The armed forces are working decisively to kill the terrorist, stop the insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens.

“Accordingly, we are making the terrorist pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay.

“Troops will continue to operate with tremendous force against the terrorist across the country.

“The military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorist with many terrorist leaders killed.

“We will continue to provide security for citizens with the tools at our disposa