Troops fighting to rid the nation of criminal elements across the country, neutralised 135 terrorists, kidnappers and arrested 182 elements in the last one week
Troops also rescued 140 kidnapped victims and nabbed 15 perpetrators of oil theft while thwarting stealing of crude and by;products valued at N731.44million.
During the engagements with the criminal elements, troops recovered 97 assorted weapons and 3,117 assorted ammunition comprising 47 AK47 rifles, one PKM MG, one FN rifle, 17 locally fabricated gun, 21 Dane guns, 9 pump action guns, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 3 units 36 hand grenade and one IED.
Others include 1,087 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 840 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 402 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm ammo, 88 rounds of 5.56mm, 33 rounds of 9mm by 99mm and the sum of N2,024,210.00 amongst other items.
In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Thirty One Million Four Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Two Naira (N731,448,262.00) only.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba while making this known, said, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed and 40 illegal refining sites, 11 dugout pits, 29 boats, 24 drums, 7 reservoirs and 41 storage tanks.
Other items recovered include 115 cooking ovens, 4 receivers, 2 generators, 13 vehicles, 3 pumping machines, 588,400 litres of stolen crude oil and 238,686 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Giving details of the operation, Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 47 terrorists, arrested 53 suspects and rescued 40 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops recovered 23 AK47 rifles, one PKM MG, 3 fabricated rifles, 10 dane guns, 2 units 36 hand grenade, 474 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 253 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 402 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm, 88 rounds 5.56mm ammo, 4 magazines, one baofeng radio, 9 motorcycles, 2 bicycles, 16 mobile phones and the sum of N771,060.00 amongst others.
“Following efforts to obliterate terrorists and destroy their structures and logistics, the air component on 3 May 2024, conducted air interdiction at terrorists assembling location in Mandara mountain area.
“The terrorists were converging with their equipment for possible attack on troops and locals. Subsequently, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.
“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 16 insurgents, arrested 32 violent extremists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 3 Dane guns, 47 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 110 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one motorcycle and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 29 April and 1 May 2024, troops in separate operations responded to information on kidnapping incidents in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, troops rescued 5 kidnapped hostages including a military personnel.
“On 4 May 2024, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping/criminality operations responded to distress call on violent extremists/armed robbery incident in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 extremists including a notorious violent extremist/armed robber identified as Babawo Garba (aka Mai Kunne Kashi) and arrested one suspect.
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 13 terrorists, arrested 26 violent extremists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 3 dane guns, one pistol, one magazine, 230 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 237 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds of 9mm x 19mm ball para ammo, 19 magazines, 16 mobile phones and the sum of the N1,203,150.00 only amongst others.
“On 2 May 2024, troops with Nigerian Police personnel responded to distress call on communal clash between Ambu and Eki clans in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State. During the operation, troops arrested 3 armed militia and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one pistol, 3 dane guns, 91 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 79 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 33 rounds of 9mm x 19mm ball para ammo amongst others.
“On 3 May 2024, following reports , troops arrested one suspected gunrunner identified in Wukari LGA of Taraba State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect used to be member of one Mzaga Terhemer’s terrorists group (aka Full Fire).
“On 4 May 2024, troops while on stop and search operation intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State. The suspects were arrested with military accoutrements, 4 mobile phones one motorcycle and the sum of ₦1,163,150.00 only.
“On 5 and 6 May 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists/kidnappers in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 18 magazines, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 158 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 ATM cards and assorted charms.
In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 36 terrorists, arrested 25 terrorists and rescued 45 kidnapped hostages,
“Troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated rifles, 5 Dane guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 296 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 240 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 23 live cartridges, 6 magazines, 11 motorcycles, 2 bicycles and 8 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 1 and 6 May 2024, troops in separate counter/anti – kidnapping/criminality operations conducted operations in Isa, Goronyo and Sabon Birnin LGA of Sokoto State as well as Danko – Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State respectively.
“During the operations, troops rescued 15 kidnapped hostages and recovered 3 dane guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 56 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 23 live cartridges, 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 1 and 5 May 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Tsafe, Birnin Magaji, Bungudu and Maru LGAs of Zamfara as well as Danmusa and Safana LGAs of Katsina State.
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“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 12 terrorists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated rifles, 2 Dane guns, 2 magazines, 74 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 184 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 motorcycles, 2 bicycles and 6 mobile phones amongst others.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 21 suspects and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 128 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 50 live cartridges and 3 magazines amonsgt others.
“On 3 May 2024, following reports and aerial surveillance on migration of sets of terrorists with their equipment to hibernate at a deserted Allawa village and nearby forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger State.
“The air component of Operation conducted pre-emptive air strikes to destroy terrorist at the location. . Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated with their equipments destroyed.
“On 1 and 6 May 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations conducted counter/anti kidnapping operations in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State as well as Bwari and AMAC FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops rescued 22 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralized 2 extremists, apprehended 18 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists.
“Troops recovered 14 weapons and 250 assorted ammunitions.
“Troops discovered and destroyed 20 dugout pits, 45 boats, 24 drums, 4 receiver, 7 reservoirs and 107 storage tanks.
“Other items recovered include 176 cooking ovens, 4 generators, 3 wheelbarrows, 20 vehicles, 4 pumping machines and 70 illegal refining sites
“The air component of Operation Delta Safe while on aerial surveillance sighted illegal refining sites in Degema LGA of Rivers State.
“The locations were observed to be active with activities of oil thieves and economy saboteurs. Subsequently, it was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed illegal refining sites and equipments were all destroyed”.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 31 violent extremists and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 9 pump action guns, one locally made pistol, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 32 live cartridges, 2 IEDs and CCTV cameras amongst other.
“On 30 April and 2 May 2024, troops in separate fighting patrols operations arrested 3 suspected violent extremists in Enugu South and Orsu LGAs of Enugu and Imo States respectively.
“During the operations, troops recovered one locally made pistol, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 IEDs and one CCTV amongst others.
“Between 2 and 5 May 2924, troops with Nigerian Police, DSS and NSCDC personnel in separate counter/anti kidnapping criminality made contact with violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Orsu and Orlu LGAs of Imo State.
“During the operations, troops neutralized 14 extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 9 pump action guns, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 132 live cartridges, 2 IEDs and 5 IEDs making materials amongst others.
“In the South West, troops of Operation Awatse arrested 5 violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage.
“Troops recovered one rusted AK47 rifle, 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 empty cases and 2 mobile phones amongst other. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“On 30 April 2024, troops with hybrid forces responded to information on kidnap incident in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State.
“During the operation, troops rescued one kidnapped hostage and recovered 13 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo with 8 empty cases.
“On 30 April 2024, troops while on patrol intercepted a vehicle loaded with 240 rolls of desert camouflage uniform and arrested 2 suspect in Moro LGA of Kwara State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the uniform was loaded from Lagos and heading to Gonin Gora Kaduna State.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 31 violent extremists and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 9 pump action guns, one locally made pistol, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 32 live cartridges, 2 IEDs and CCTV cameras amongst other.
“On 30 April and 2 May 2024, troops in separate fighting patrols operations arrested 3 suspected violent extremists in Enugu South and Orsu LGAs of Enugu and Imo States respectively.
“During the operations, troops recovered one locally made pistol, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 IEDs and one CCTV amongst others.
“Between 2 and 5 May 2924, troops with Nigerian Police, DSS and NSCDC personnel in separate counter/anti kidnapping criminality made contact with violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Orsu and Orlu LGAs of Imo State.
“During the operations, troops neutralized 14 extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 9 pump action guns, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 132 live cartridges, 2 IEDs and 5 IEDs making materials amongst others.
“In the South West, troops of Operation Awatse arrested 5 violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage.
“Troops recovered one rusted AK47 rifle, 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 empty cases and 2 mobile phones amongst other. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“On 30 April 2024, troops with hybrid forces responded to information on kidnap incident in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State.
“During the operation, troops rescued one kidnapped hostage and recovered 13 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo with 8 empty cases.
“On 30 April 2024, troops while on patrol intercepted a vehicle loaded with 240 rolls of desert camouflage uniform and arrested 2 suspect in Moro LGA of Kwara State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the uniform was loaded from Lagos and heading to Gonin Gora Kaduna State.
Furthermore, Gen Buba said, “The military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorists with many terrorist leaders killed.
“Troops have significantly diminished the military capabilities of these terrorist groups and continue to do so.
“We are making the terrorists and their cohorts, pay a much heavier price than we have been forced to pay.”
“The military continues to defeat the terrorist and their cohorts in ongoing counter terrorist and insurgency operations across the country.
“Accordingly, on the ground, troops continue to demonstrate stamina, resolve, strong desire to remain focused and stay the course in order to completely annihilate the terrorists.”
