Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Nigerians have been called upon to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria in it’s quest to deal with the present security challenges.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday at the biweekly media briefing
The DDMO noted that the perpetrators of the insecurity are not ghost, but have families , relations and are from villages and communities in the country.
“Through a whole of society approach, we will suffocate any hope that these groups have of victory through senseless killings and dastardly acts.”
Major General Buba noted that troops have denied the perpetrators of insecurity the freedom of action after neutralizing 191 terrorists, arrested a total number of 184 criminals, 22 suspected oil thefts and also rescued 91 kidnapped hostages terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across theaters of Operation. Troops also denied oil theft of an estimate sum of Three Hundred and Eighty Eight Million Four Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N388,469,650.00).
Major General Buba affirmed that criminals are not ghost, they are from the society, destroying the peace and civic activities for their own gain. He urged Nigerians not to hide any Them, and not to join forces with terrorists but support the military effort to flush them out of the society.
He noted that the terrorists modus operandi has been decoded. “We know these security challenges are fomented just for the self enrichment of the perpetrators. Consequently, our message to these individuals and groups, is that, the ilitary laser-focused on pursuing peac and security in the country, by the ursuit of those that threaten the peace of the Country.
“Our mission against terrorist, insurgents and perpetrators of insecurity in the country is not one that should be seen as the exclusive preserve of just the military alone.Experience reveals that, military means alone can not neutralise terrorism and insurgency.
“This underscores the need for our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war to remain a reflection of a whole of society’s commitment.
“Indeed, while we all are from one locality or another, not everyone can be in the military. Recognising this, there are several ways society can show their commitment in support of the overall objective to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country. Importantly, The such commitment should reflect and align with the will of the people.” he said
Major General Buba added that troops recovered 209 assorted weapons and 2,894 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 46 AK47 rifles, 8 G3 rifle, one SMG, one PKT gun, 11 locally made rifles, 8 dane gun, 2 locally made revolvers, 9 locally fabricated Ak47 rifles, one locally made SMG, 2 high grade military rifles, 3 locally made IED launchers, 3 locally made pistols, one x 36 hand grenade, IEDs, 5 Ak47 rifles loaded with 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 837 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 289 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 275 rounds of 9mm ammo and 43 live cartridges.
“Others are: one unserviceable FN rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 32 magazines, 3 G3 magazines, 45 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO ammo, daggers, 15 cutlasses, 14 vehicles, 9 motorcycles, 7 bicycles, 4 fragmental jackets, one tripod, 2 boafeng radios, 24 mobile phones and the sum of N55,798,105.00.”he added
He stressed that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, 3 tapping hoses, 4 drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machine, 3 outboard engines and 34 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 696,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 54,400 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,200 litres PMS.
“The armed forces remains unperturbed by the evil machinations of these extremist groups. Their nefarious tactics have been exposed for what it truly is, which is a mere ploy to self-enrichment through killings.
“Accordingly, our message to these individuals and groups, is that we have clocked your game and are laser-focused on pursuing peace, by the pursuit of those that threaten the peace in the country.” he said
