War on Terror: More than 47,000 BHT/ISWAP terrorists & Families have surrendered; As troop’s eliminate 55 terrorist’s, rescue 84 civilians, arrest 61 in NE, NW, & N-Central Zones; Troops destroy 49 illegal refineries; Nab 70 oil pipeline vandals in N-Delta.

The Defence headquarters on Thursday disclosed that since 2021 when the federal government through the military authorities waved the olive branch and called on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists wishing to lay down their arms and surrender to escaped being killed in the war against terror, over 47,000 terrorists and their families have surrendered to troops.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko made this known in Abuja just as he stated that the recent spike in terrorists killings in Southern Kaduna which recently led to Kaduna State government imposing a Curfew in two LGAs in the state is being addressed by security agencies.

“Troops of Operation Thunder and Operation Whirl Punch are on top of the situation as we speak. Serious operations are ongoing and before long, all the perpetrators of the violence will be brought to book”, Onyeuko said.

This is just as DHQ stated that 55 terrorists were killed in several confrontation between troops in the North West, North East and North Central zones of the country in the last fortnight, 84 terrorists arrested, 62 kidnapped civilians rescued while in the Niger Delta, 49 illegal refineries were discovered and destroyed even as a total of 70 oil thieves and oil pipeline vandals were arrested.

Also, DHQ said troops recovered Six Million, Six Hundred & Seventy-Nine Thousand (6,679,000) litres of illegal refined AGO and Four Million, Four Hundred & Thirty-Six Thousand (4,436,000) litres of stolen crude oil.

Speaking on military operations across the country in the last fortnight, the DMO said, “The Air Component of the Operation Hadarin Daji carried out air interdiction on 14 March 2022 at Unguwar Adam village in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Following intelligent report about the gathering of terrorists possibly for a meeting of their key Commanders and leaders, it dispatched an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to monitor activities at the location. It was confirmed that over 50 of the terrorists congregated for the meeting.

“Consequently, the air component vectored the fighter jet to the location, human intelligence gathered indicates that 27 of the terrorists were neutralized. Prominent among those neutralized include one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima and it was a major setback for the group.

“Another air interdiction was carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, neutralizing scores of the terrorists while those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops.

“Cumulatively, troops neutralized 8 Bandits, arrested 7 bandits, rescued 56 civilians and recovered 1 AK 47 rifles, 2 generators, 3 MC, 1 motorcycle and 1 pumping machine. All arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action”.

Other areas where troops carried out clearance operations are Malekachi, Danlayi in Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Guga Village in Bakori Local Government Area, Farin Dutse in Fari Kama Village, Kwanenem Tukwane Village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and Rabah, Tangaza Local Government Area, Sabon Garin Liman Village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai on 15 March 2022 conducted air strikes on terrorists within the Lake Chad Region and Tumbuns Close to Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the airstrikes key members of Islamic State of West African Province were neutralized. Other operations were conducteed in Marsele, Musini, Gwoza, Liman Kara, Mandara, Fadhis, Waitini, Galdekore, Izza, Garin Ba’abba, Sambisa forest, Ashigashiya all in Borno State.

“The operational achievement include neutralization of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35 terrorists, recovered 34 AK 47, 5 dane gun, 9 locally made guns, 270 rustled cows, 3 motor cycles, AK 74 and 13 bicycles used for logistics movement while 7000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram Terrorist from different location surrendered to own troops.

“Troops also rescued 27 civilians. The surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.

Troops of Operation Safe conducted clearance operations in Kitagun Village in Bassa Local Government Area, Adua Village in Bashar district in Wase Local Government Area, Tenti town in Bokkos Local Government Area, Mangu town in Mangu Local Government Area, Bisichi in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“Other locations include Fadan Karshi, Ankwa in Sanga Local Government Area, Kurmin Masara in Zango Kataf Local Government Area and Jangidi in Jema’a Local Government Area, Fadan Chawai in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Subsequently, troops recovered several stolen railway sleepers, 3 trucks, 1 J5 bus, 2 AK47 rifles with extra magazines. Troops rescued 3 civilians, neutralized 2 bandits and apprehended 19 criminal/bandits. All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions.

Troops at the frontline of Operatiin Whirl Stroke conducted raid and clearance operations in different location in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states resulting in troops neutralized 10 bandits, arresting 5 bandits and recovering 1 Peugeot Wagon vehicle, some weapons including: double barrel gun, AK47 rifles, 3 magazines, assorted calibers of ammunitions, 11 motorcycles, 3 solar panels, 2 MC, 17 cell phones and dangerous local weapons.

Noting that “All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions”, Gen Onyeuko listed areas where raid operations were carried out to include Ubise, Atunbe, Aguyi, Tse Keji, Abite, Weeghyina, Wende, Mbachie Kpokpo, Awande, Kasari, Tse Gaya, Kyonke in Mbayongo Council Ward of Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Tse-Ikyaan, Tse-Mondo, Agi, Tse Mou, Tse Oragbai, Tse Gbegir in Ukemberegya and Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area.

Others are Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West Local Government Area, Iwewe Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State. Other locations are Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State and Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

In the Niger Delta, troops of Oeration Delta Safe intensified raids operations against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in different communities, towns, villages and creeks in Ajomo Creeks, Koko town in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo, Okpoko river in Warri South Local Government Area, Obiayaga, Eruwaram in Ugeli South Local Government Area, Aker Jetty, Bakana Creek, Afremo, Ogidigben, Obotobo, Saghara Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area.

Others are Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area, Burutu Creeks, Oboro, Alabgba Biri Communities in Burutu Local Government Area, Warri Sapele road in Urwie Local Government Area all in Delta State, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Elele, Owerri in Ekwere Local Government Area of River State and Ozoaku Local Government Area of Abia State respectively.

“During the operations, troops also discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refineries, 275 polythene bags containing illegal refined AGO, 146 ovens, 145 receivers, 4 boilers, 125 metal storage tanks, 8 GP tanks, 19 drums, 69 50litres jerry cans, 81 galvanized pipes, 85 dugout pits, 5 warehouses and pots containing illegal refined AGO.

“Cumulatively, troops within the period under review neutralized 1 militant, recovered Six Million Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand (6,679,000) litres of illegal refined AGO, Four Million Four Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand (4,436,000) litres of stolen crude oil, 1 gun boat, I BMG gun, 1 AK 47 rifle, 5 MCs, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 motorcycles, 20 wooden boats, 15 pumping machines, 2 trucks, 1 ford, 3 speedboats, 5 engines, 1 keke, 5 vehicles.

“Furthermore, 70 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization and other criminal elements were apprehended. All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

On Exercise Obangame Express, the DMO said, “The Nigerian Navy in conjunction with US AFRICOM organized the 12th Edition of Ex Obangame Express which was designed to create enabling environment and freedom of Navigation in the Gulf of Guinea. Also, to created regional collaboration through joint operations and to checkmate illegal economic activities on our coastal water. The Exercise was held from 11 – 18 March 2022.

“During the Exercise own patrol vessels intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on our coastal waters.

“The vessels are FV Magnolta and FV Jasmin. Also, MT Queen of Peace was intercepted with loaded with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT Harbour Spirit was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents.

“A total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members were interrogated and 5 arrested with in the Exercise period. The overall assessment of the Exercise was adjudged successful as it lived up to it bidding.”

END