Within the last 14 days, troops have doubled down charging against criminality, dislodging 99 terrorists, grabbing 198 others, freeing 139 kidnap victims, nabbing 49 hoodlums and seizing N1, 018, 483, 900.00 worth of stolen crude while recovering 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition. With the criminals in pains, big relief awaits Nigerians, according to Defence Headquarters, yesterday.
Maintaining that until the country is totally rid of the nefarious activities of the hoodlums, the Armed Forces of Nigeria pledged to remain committed to combating criminality in whatever guise, however, wherever and whenever they pose threats to the total safety and security of all Nigerians.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward who stated this at a regular bi-weekly briefing on Thursday in Abuja of defence correspondents on activities of the military Armed Forces of Nigeria in the last two weeks across the six geo-political zones of the country, maintained that military’s commitment to victory in ongoing military war against terrorists and their violent cohorts remained total and non-negotiable.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) restated its resolve to gain victory in the war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists, kidnappers, oil robbers and other hoodlums suspected for creating insecurity in the country as, according to him, the armed forces will continue to eliminate and destroy them in their numbers to guarantee peace and safety to Nigerians wherever they choose to live in the North West (NE), North West (NW), North Central (NC), South West (SW), South East (SE) and South South (SS) zones of the country.
The disclosed that in 14 days troops dislodged 99 terrorists, grabbed 198 others, freed 139 kidnap victims, nabbed 49 hoodlums who were suspected to have stolen N1, 018, 483, 900.00 worth of crude oil in the oil-rich Niger Delta area. In the successful operations, about 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunitions were also recovered.
He maintained that the military major objective in the several operations was to destroy the extremist and violent groups, decapitate them, and erode their ability to wage terror attacks against Nigerian citizens.
Speaking on the operations in the South East, Maj. Gen Buba said, troops conducted offensive actions against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) as well as other miscreants engaged in diverse violent activities, while in the South South Zone, troops curtailed the sabotage of the nation’s oil infrastructure and theft of crude oil.
“The war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and others creating insecurity in the country wages on, and the military is progressing towards its goal of total destruction of these elements. In this war, the military is learning every day how to better deal with the threat posed by these groups.
“We are maximizing the substantial advantage that we have such as air superiority and aerial cover for the ground forces. The joint operational environment is witnessing communication and coordination of fires between ground and aerial assets to decimate the enemy on the ground.
“In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of estimated sum of One Billion Eighteen Million, Four Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira (N1,018,483,900.00) only. Furthermore, troops recovered 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown are as follows: one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 49 AK47 rifles, one josef magnum pump action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 single barrel guns, 9 locally made pistols, 13 dane guns, one hand grenade, 7 locally made rifles, 3 RPG chargers, 2 locally made hand grenades.
“Others are: 347 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 966 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 58 live cartridges, 50 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 30 magazines, 27 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, 34 motorcycles and sum of N717,580.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 245 dugout pits, 31 boats, 69 storage tanks, 23 vehicles, 162 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 3 outboard engine, one tricycle and 50 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 578,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 454,330 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,000 litres of DPK.
“Going by the outcome of ongoing operations across the country, the military is ready, capable and eager to continue its mission of securing the country by the destruction of terrorist, extremist and insurgents.
“Given that there are several lines of operation in countering insurgency. It is pertinent to state that combat operations against these insurgents, terrorists and extremists remains one line of action. It is for this reason that the armed forces is calling on Nigerians for support, particularly in the area of public opinion. We have to show support for our troops to win this war.
“The gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of citizens. We have to exhibit patriotism and encourage them in our public discourse.
“The leadership of the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, is open to workable ideas to improve ongoing operations. Nigeria belongs to us all and therefore victory in this war is non-negotiable. Together, we do not just win, but we have dominion” he noted.
Major General Buba further stated that the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai in the North East arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists’ collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
‘’Troops conducted fighting patrols in Askira Uba, Bama, Abadam and Gujba LGAs of Borno and Yobe State respectively, BH/ISWAP terrorists ambushed terrorists in Gwoza and Damboa LGAs of Borno State.
‘’Troops also discovered Unexploded Ordinance and IED in Mobbar and Biu LGAs of Borno State.
‘’Additionally, troops arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists spy and a gunrunner in Damaturu and Kwaya Kusar LGAs of Yobe and Borno States respectively. Troops further conducted offensive operations in Damboa and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State’’, he said, giving more details as follows:
> Arrest of Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorists Collaborators. On 17 November 2023, troops arrested 3 suspected terrorists’ collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. The suspects claimed to been coarse to go on the errand by terrorists’ elements;
> Surrender of BH/ISWAP Terrorists. Between 15 and 21 Nov 23, a total of 108 terrorists and their families comprising 13 adult males 32 adult females and 63 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
>On 20 and 21 November 2023, in separate operations, troops conducted fighting patrol to Askira Uba, Bama and Abadam LGAs of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists and arrested;
> Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 locally made rifles, 5 magazines, 90 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 mobile phones and 2 motorcycles. Preliminary investigation revealed that 2 among the suspects were explosive Ordinance experts;
>On 21 November 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to kidnappers hideout and made contact in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 criminals while others fled. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 73 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo and 2 mobile phones;
>On 16 and 19 November 2023, troops while on fighting patrols in separate operations were ambushed by BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Damboa LGAs of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 10 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered one GPMG, GT3 rifle, one 36 hand grenade, 107 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 30 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm Special ammo and one empty case of 7.62 mm NATO ammo;
>On 17 November 2023, troops while conducting fighting patrols discovery Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) in Mobbar LGA of Borno State. The UXO was successfully removed while efforts are ongoing to dispose it;
>Arrest of Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorists Spy. On 18 November 2023, troops while on perimeter patrol arrested a suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists spy identified withheld at Damaturu LGA of Yobe State;
>On 18 November 2023, following a tip off, troops with Hybrid Forces arrested 2 suspected gunrunners in Kwaya Kusar LGA of Borno State. Troop recovered one assault rifle without magazine, one single barrel auto gun, one dane gun, 16 cartridges and one mobile phone;
>On 20 November 2023, troops while on patrol discovered an IED with a hand-written letter in Biu LGA of Borno State. Analysis is ongoing.
>On 20 November 2023, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces conducted offensive operation and made contact with terrorists in Damboa LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 7 BH/ISWAP terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles and 100 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo;
>On 21 November 2023, troops with hybrid forces conducted offensive operation and made contact with terrorists in Mobbar LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 3 magazines, 70 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and 2 motorcycles;
>Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 19 terrorists, arrested 21 and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 40 AK47 rifles, one single barrel auto gun, 2 locally made rifles, one dane gun, one hand grenade, 333 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 107 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 live cartridges, 30 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 magazines and 5 mobile phones;
>Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested suspected arms dealers in Zango Kataf and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State. Troops conducted raid operation to criminal hideouts in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. Troops arrested suspected Militias in Mangu LGA of Plateau State, giving further details as follows:
>Arrest of Suspected Arms Dealers. Between 14 and 17 November 2023, troops in separate operations arrested 3 suspected arms dealers identified names withheld in Zango Kataf and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State. Preliminary investigation revealed that they were on their way to deliver ammunition to Bello Turji who is a notorious terrorist leader in Zamfara State. Troops recovered 504 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 100 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 3 RPG chargers, 3 mobile phones, one ATM card and one vehicle;
>On 14 November 2023, troops raided suspected criminals’ hideout in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. During raid, troops arrested one suspect identity withheld with one AK47 rifle and 9 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo; and.
>On 20 November 2023, troops responded to a distress call on attack on locals by suspected herder militias in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. However, no contact was made. Troops exploited the general area and arrested 17 suspected suspects.
Fielding questions from journalists on recent terrorists’ attacks, Major General Edward Buba said though the insurgents had been degraded, they continued to hit soft targets to attract media publicity, explaining that combat operations against the extreme insurgents and terrorists remained one of the several lines of countering the menace.
