Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralized no fewer than 25 terrorists, bandits and arrested 107 others in the last two weeks in the ongoing operations that cut across various theatres.
The new Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO) at the Defence Headquarters, Major General Edward Buba, stated this on Thursday during the biweekly defence media briefing.
He said troops in the Niger-Delta discovered and destroyed illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region during the period and denied oil thieves products worth N202,788,300.
The operational activities of the troops across the 6 geopolitical zones for the period 13 – 20 July 2023 ranging from rescuing of civilians held hostage by terrorists, gunmen or criminals, also resulted in the rescue of 39 kidnapped civilians and recovery of 10 AK47 rifles and cash sums of money totaling N1,139,000.
Major General Buba, who noted that the actions buttressed the war mode of the military to crush these threats decisively, said the offensive posture also indicated that the ongoing operations would surely cause the perpetrators of this challenges to reconsider the position.
He disclosed that in the course of operations in the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered 7 AK 47 rifles, 2 FN rifles, one 36 hand grenade, 100 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 2 mobile phones, 2 Cow, food stuffs, condiment, one cart and the sum of N2,104,000.00 while equally neutralizing 6 terrorists and arrested 8 suspected terrorists’ collaborators. Troops rescued10 kidnapped civilians during these operations.
Continuing, Major General Buba disclosed that in the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 1 fabricated pistol, 1 locally made pistol, 1 Pump action ammo, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 motorcycle, cartridge, 1 mobile phone, machete, axe, fake Nigerian Police ID card and the sum of N35,000.00 only. Troops also neutralized 9 bandits and arrested 10 suspects while rescuing 9 kidnapped civilians.
The troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 550 assorted rounds of ammunition, 12 calibers of weapons, 7 empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, 3 vehicles, 19 motorcycles and 1 dagger. Troops equally destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens and 16 dugout pits. While a total of 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period.
“It is noteworthy to state that an estimated sum of Two Hundred and Two Million Seven Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Naira (N202,788,300.00) was denied the oil thefts during the period in focus,” majhor General Buba said.
He added that troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the North-East neutralized 9 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 3 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1 dane gun, 5 motorcycles, 2 phones and 322 livestock. Troops also arrested 15 suspected criminals and rescued 20 kidnapped civilians.
“In the conduct of the operation, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 4 pump action gun, 1 dane gun, 86 live cartridges. Troops also neutralized 1 criminal and apprehended 12 suspects.
In their operation conduct in the south-West, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 4 pump action gun, 1 dane gun, 86 live cartridges. Troops also neutralized 1 criminal and apprehended 12 suspects. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued abducted civilians have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
The DMO Director who acknowledge that the military received support such as tip off, intelligence, cooperation and synergy amongst others, said it was on the basis of such support that many of the operations were conducted.
“This is indicative of the fact that the security challenges confronting us require a collective effort and therefore a collective responsibility,” he remarked.
