Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian military has refuted reports that innocent people were targeted in the Nigerian Air Force attack on criminals in Plateau State recently.
Speaking at the Bi-Weekly news briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa refuted such claims, saying that it did not happen.
The briefing covered the period between the 1st of June to the 15th of June, 2023.
He narrated that intelligence report said they were rumours that there was going to be a massive attack and kidnapping of students leading to the Nigerian Air Force mounting surveillance, which led to the death of many terrorists in the subsequent attack.
Earlier, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami said troops of Operations HADARIN DAJI and other Operations have neutralised fifteen terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition in the North West of Nigeria.
General Danmadami noted that troops conducted an offensive operation on Shamushalle forest in Birnin Magaji Local Government Area of Zamfara State where several terrorist camps and hideouts were identified and made contact with the terrorists.
According to him, following the operation, troops neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 2 suspects and recovered 1 PKT gun, 91 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4 AK47 rifles.
He said also that “on the same day, troops conducted an ambush operation at a location within Kubusu forest in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with the terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 4 AK47 magazines, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special, assorted drugs and other sundry items”.
Equally, troops had a meeting engagement with bandits at Sakida village in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
He said that “following the encounter, troops neutralized 5 terrorists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special and 2 motorcycles”.
On the same day, troops ambushed terrorists at Kumbo village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of the same state. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 6 AK47 magazines, 26 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 motorcycles, he added.
Furthermore, troops on fighting patrol made contact with terrorists at Maidaro village in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following the fight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 192 rounds of 7.62mm special, 74 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 5 Dane guns, 1 PKT Gun, 9 AK47 magazines, 3 IEDs, 3 baofeng radios and other sundry items.
Also, following a tip-off, troops arrested a suspected terrorist’s logistics supplier at Bena town in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State with 566 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo concealed in a black bag.
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was to deliver the ammunition to terrorists in Maru LGA of ZAMFARA State.
Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 92 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 894 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 PKT guns, 1 pump action gun, 1 Beretta pistol, 28 AK47 magazines, 8 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 83 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm special, 5 Dane guns, and 3 IEDs.
Other items include 19 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, 3 baofeng radios and 34 cattle.
He said that “troops also neutralized 38 terrorists, apprehended 10 and rescued 24 kidnapped civilians”.
All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action
“Equally, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted an air interdiction operation at a terrorist leader enclave in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and the location was observed with terrorist activities.
“Accordingly, the target was attacked with rockets neutralizing several terrorists. Also, on 4 June 2023, a similar operation was carried out at locations within the Batsari, Danmusa and Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State and the Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
“The operations were conducted following Intel on terrorists converging at these locations.
“Consequently, the target areas were engaged with rockets with several terrorists neutralized in the air strikes.
The Director also noted that both the land, maritime and air components of the Joint Task Force Operation DELTA SAFE as well as other operations in the South-South zone of the country have sustained the efforts in ensuring a relatively safe and peaceful environment for business activities to strive in the region.
General Danmadami added that in sustaining this, troops conducted operational activities at the waterways, bush paths, creeks, cities, and towns of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State
He said that “during these operations, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other Operations discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 27 wooden boats, 158 storage tanks, 149 ovens and 8 dugout pits”.
“Troops also recovered 122,600 litres of crude oil, 89,850 litres of AGO, 7 vehicles, 18 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1 speedboat, 6 assorted ammunition, 1 weapon and 1 tricycle.
“Troops also arrested 16 suspected economic saboteurs.
He said that “all recovered items and arrested suspects have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action”.
“Additionally, it is worth mentioning that a total of Eighty Two Million Four Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N82,445,150.00) only were denied the oil thefts during the period in focus, he also added.
“Relatedly, the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE between 2 and 3 June 2023 conducted air reconnaissance and air interdiction operations at Okoro Nyong and Ndele.
“Overhead, these locations were observed to be rife with illegal refining activities with about 6 motorcycles sighted.
“Consequently, the location was bombarded and destroyed while the illegal refined products and equipment were engulfed in flames as a result of the air strike.”
