Troops of the armed forces fighting to rid the country of criminal elements, particularly terrorists, kidnappers and bandits, neutralised 192 terrorists and rescued 62 kidnapped victims across thd in the last one week.
Troops also arrested 378 terrorists collaborator arms suppliers, bandits, kidnapping gangs and oil theft criminals while a total of 122 ISWAP/JAS combatant terrorist surrendered with their family members.
Director of Defence Media Operations Major Gen Edward Buba wbo made this known at a media briefing, noted that in the Niger Delta, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of N821.24million !Eight Hundred and Twenty One Million Two Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Naira.
“Troops discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refinery sites, 99 dugout pits, 36 storage tanks and 192 cooking ovens. Troops recovered 349,970 litres of stolen crude oil, 112,135 litres of illegally refined AGO, 7,560 litres of DPK and 13,000 litres of PMS.
During the conduct of the operations, troops recovered 211 assorted weapons and 6,288 assorted ammunition comprising 128 AK47 rifles, 26 Dane guns, 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, 140 round of 9mm ammunition among others.
Gen Buba disclosed that, “Being a professional force, due diligence by way of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance is painstakingly taken to distinguish the terrorists before air strikes are conducted.
“These air strikes have resulted in the death of several of these terrorists leaders and the cohorts hibernating in enclaves across the theatres of operation.
“It therefore should not be surprising, that these terrorists and their sympathisers plot on blackmailing the military as a result of these air strikes.
“The plot is to depict some casualties as innocent citizens rather than cohorts of these terrorists. It is therefore important for the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathisers.
“Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
Detailing the encounters, Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 71 terrorists, arrested 143 suspects and rescued 58 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops recovered 62 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, 15 fabricated guns, 14 Dane guns, one hand grenade, 948 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 617 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 70 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, one round of 105mm ammo, 10 magazines, 3 baofeng radios, 11 motorcycles, 16 mobile phones and the sum of 652,700.00 amongst others.
“On 13 April 2024, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air strike on ISWAP/JAS terrorists hideouts and logistics hub including their food processing unit in Kolleram village along Lake Chad.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that over 30 terrorists including senior commanders; Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari were neutralized as well as their logistics destroyed a result of the strike.
“Troops of Operation Safe Have in the North Centra neutralized 4 insurgents, arrested 36 violent extremists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifle, 7 fabricated guns, one fabricated pistols, one fabricated pistol, 303 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 72 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 15 live cartridges, 2 motorcycle and 4 mobile phones.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 17 violent extremists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 17 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated rifles, 6 dane guns, 3 locally made pistol, one barretta pistol, 3 pump action, 331 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 252 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 164 rounds of 7.62 units of 39mm ball ammo, 2 vehicle, 3 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones.
“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 62 terrorists, arrested 49 terrorists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages.
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“Troops recovered 47 AK47 rifles, 14 fabricated guns, 8 Dane guns, one locally fabricated revolver gun, 1,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 428 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 40 rounds of 9mm ammo, 17 magazines, one boafeng radio, 11 motorcycles, 14 mobile phones.
“On 14 April 2024, troops with a team from Office of the National Security Adviser undertook a mission to Kunchin Kalgo Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State to rescue the remaining abducted students and staff of the federal University of Gusau who were abducted by terrorists in October 2023.
“During the operation, troops rescued 10 hostages comprising of 6 female student and 4 staff of the university.
“Similarly, on 12 April 2024, 3 of the abducted students and staff of the university were released and handed over to troops at Dansadau in Maru LGA of Zamfara State.
“In total 13 of the student and staff of the university were rescued within the week .
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 14 criminals and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, one shotgun, 2 Dane guns, one pump action, 1,194 rounds of cartridges, 209 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 7 pairs of boots, 9 berets, 4 belts, one digital camera, 3 fragment jackets, 620 parcels substances suspected to be marijuana , 10 Yoruba Nation flags, 8 mobile phone, 4 handheld radios among other sundry items.
“On 13 April 2024, troops responded to information on attack in Ibadan North LGA of Oyo State and made contact with Yoruba Nation militia. Following a fire fight, the violent extremists fled, troops went on pursuit and arrested 9 violent extremists.
“Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, one shotgun, 2 dane guns, one pump action, 1,194 rounds of cartridges, 209 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 7 pairs of boots, 9 berets, 4 belts, one digital camera, 3 fragment jackets, 10 Yoruba Nation flags, 8 mobile phone, 4 handheld radios among other sundry items.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 11 violent extremists and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 3 pump action guns, one locally made pistol, 3 fabricated gun, 2 magazines, 317 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 98 rounds of 55mm special ammo, 97 rounds of 9mm ammo, 54 live cartridges, 2 vehicle, one motorcycles, 5 mobile phones.
“On 10 and 15 April 2024, troops while on fighting patrol made contact with members of Ezza militias in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State but the criminals fled. Troops exploited their withdrawal route and recovered one fabricated Rifle, 3 AK 47 magazines, 97 rounds of 9mm ammo, 230 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 80 rounds of 55mm special ammo.
“On 13 April 2024, in Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi State while on patrol troops arrested one Mr Solomon Nwinya, a dismissed soldier who paraded himself as serving LCpl intimidating/ harassing locals troops recovered 2 cartridge, 3 cam T-shirts, one complete woodland cam uniform, one HH radio and one mobile phone.
“In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 27 suspects for oil theft and other violent extremists. Troops recovered 5 weapons and 162 assorted ammunitions.
“Troops recovered 792,660 litres of stolen crude oil and 117,070 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 99 dugout pits, 11 boats and 29 storage tanks, 192 cooking ovens, 9 vehicles and 31 illegal refining sites.
Gen Buba added, “The military recognises that there is still a challenging and tough war campaign still ahead . Overall, our objective is to defeat the terrorists and their cohorts by denying them the ability to continue to fight.
“The lifeline of these terrorist groups is the people. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. It is for this reason, we encourage the civil populace and civil societies to galvanise support in a whole of society approach to facilitate the total defeat of these terrorist.
“The time is now for citizens to know that they have a responsibility to the nation.
“The military is working decisively to kill the terrorist, dismantle their networks and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.
“It is for these reasons that the armed forces would continue to hunt the leadership of these terrorist groups everywhere across these theatres of operations.
