Thd Defence headquarters on Friday said troops of Operation Whirl Punch deployed to the FCT to track and eliminate kidnappers terrorizing Abuja and environs neutraluzed one kidnapper, arrested 2 and recovered arms and ammunitions during fighting patrols.
Troops intercepted and rrested an arms dealer/violent extremist during raid operation in Abaji, Bwari and Kuje Area Council of FCT, Abuja.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba who made this known said, “During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspects and recovered one locally fabricated gun, one pistol, 51 cartridges and one motorcycle.
“Following reports, troops while conducting stop and search, intercepted and arrested a suspected arms dealer in Abaji Area Council of the FCT, Abuja. Investigation revealed that the suspect was heading to Kuje Area Council of FCT, Abuja.
“Troops also raided an illegal mining site and arrested 7 suspects in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Abuja.
“On 14 January 2024, following reports, troops raided violent extremists and kidnappers hideout in Kagoro LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one insurgent and recovered 2 locally made dane guns and one machete.
“Troops also responded to information of armed robbery incident along Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. Sighting troops, the violent extremists fled abandoning their operation and the kidnao incident was foiled
Gen Buba who was speaking on operations in the FCT and across the country said, “The armed forces is not unaware of the terrible impact of kidnappings on the families of those affected.
“Indeed, our hearts and thoughts go to their families and loved ones. We also recognizes the fear that these kidnappings creates among the citizenry, following recent events in the FCT.
“While troops probably don’t have all the answers as at now. Citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces is working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation.
“Additionally, troops are synergizing with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnapping gangs, particularly around the FCT.
“Troops have prioritized the areas of these kidnappings, increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas. Technologies have also been deployed to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.
“Furthermore, troops increased the tempo of operations in order to find, degrade and destroy the terrorist and cohorts wherever they were hiding.
“In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State, as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State.
“There have also been intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others.
“The armed forces will always be mindful of the threat by kidnapping gangs and terrorist across the country.
” Accordingly, we will continually review our internal processes in order to deal with these threats both now and in the long term. The military is determined to give the situation the seriousness it deserves so as to create a safer environment for citizens.
Speaking on operations across the country, Buba said that during the week, troops neuyralized 43 terrorists with 76 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.
“In the Niger Delta, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of over N131.10million (One hundred and thirty one million, one hundred and one ghousand, seven hundred and fifty naira”.
“Troops discovered and destroyed 16 illegal refining sites, 7 dugout pits, 13 boats, 23 storage tanks, 2 barges, 4 vehicles, 15 cooking ovens, and 2 pump machines.
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“Troops recovered 139,045 litres of stolen crude oil, 25,115 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,200 litres of DPK.
“Troops apprehended 29 suspected oil criminals and other violent extremists/insurgents. Troops recovered 22 assorted weapons, 46 assorted ammunitions, 5 mobile phones, and the sum of N40,070.00.
During the encounters, “Troops recovered 81 assorted weapons and 2,150 assorted ammunition made up of one NSVT AA gun, one GPMG, one PKMG, 36 AK47 rifles, one RPG 7 tube, 2 AGL bombs, 4 pump action guns, 4 locally fabricated guns, 8 Dane guns, 3 short guns, one cut-to-short Dane gun, 2 berretta pistols, one damaged AK47 rifle, 2 RPG chargers, wooden stock of AK47 rifles, LMG magazine, 8 bandoliers and 42 magazines and the sum of over N1.266million among others.
“In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 24 terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered one GPMG, one PKMG, 17 AK47 rifles,one NSVT AA gun, 6 Dane guns, 2 AGL bombs, one RPG 7 tube, one PKT barrel, 2 RPG chargers, wooden stock of AK47 rifles, 272 belted rounds of 7.62 by 51mm NATO ammo, 268 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm ammo, 580 rounds 7.62 by 39mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
“Troops conducted offensive operations in Kaga, Gwoza, Bama and Damboa LGAs in Borno State, night ambush on ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Konduga, Gwoza and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Fighting patrols in Bama and Marte LGAs of Borno State
“Additionally, troops arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists informant and collaborators in Gwoza and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe State. Troops also discovered and detonatex IEDs in Damboa and Gamboru-Ngala LGAs of Borno State.
In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested 32 violent extremists and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 4 locally fabricated guns, one berretta pistol, 741 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 26 magazines, one vehicle, filing machine and the s
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 32 violent extremists and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages.
Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 4 locally fabricated guns, one berretta pistol, 741 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 26 magazines, one vehicle, filing machine and the sum of N267,000.00.
” Troops arrested a suspected violent extremists/vandals, arrested an impostor, conducted raid operations and arrested violent extremists/gunrunners in Ado, Makurdi, Ogbadibo and Guma LGAs all in Benue State.
“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 8 and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages.
Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 2 dane guns, one damage AK47 rifle, 117 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 bandoliers, one LMG rifle butt, 4 magazines, 6 baofeng radios, 6 motorcycles, one mobile phone and the sum of N898,000.00 amongst others.
“Troops conducted offensive operations in Jibia, Batsari and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State as well as Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State. Conducted fighting patrols in Isa LGA of Sokoto State and Birnin Gwari and Chikun LGAs of Kaduna State. Responded to violent extremists/insurgents activities in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.
“Additionally, troops arrested violent extremists/insurgents and accomplice in Ikara and Maru LGAs of Kaduna and Zamfara States respectively. Troops also arrested vandals and violent extremists/insurgents collaborators in Wurno and Talata Mafara LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka arrested one violent extremists/IPOB and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages.
“On 12 January 2024, following reports, troops arrested one suspected IPOB/ESN Commander identified as Nwanchukwu Sunday (aka Commando) in Onitsha LGA of Anambra State.
“On 11 January 2024, troops responded to distress call on a kidnapping incident in Udenu LGA of Enugu State. On sighting troops, the kidnappers fled abandoning their kidnapped victims. Troops rescued 6 kidnapped hostages and reunited them with their families.”
