Defence Headquarters has disclosed that I just seven days, Nigerian gallant troops trounced 286 terrorists, arrested 244 insurgents, rescued 112 kidnapped victims, apprehended 83 oil thieves while recovering stolen crude worth of Two Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Million Four Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand and Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira (N2, 565, 479,720.00) only.
It said he feats were recorded as a result of the Nigerian military’s determined bid to prove that ongoing crackdown on national security threats across the country was not a fluke but a serious matter.
Director Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Edward Buba made the disclosures on Thursday in Abuja during the regular bi-weekly media briefing on military activities and successes recorded in the various theaters of operations across all the six geo-political zones of the country.
He further said that within the period under review, troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition.
He also said that troops in the oil-rich Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks in addition to other items recovered such as 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles and 74 illegal refining sites.
Major General Edward Buba further disclosed that the courageous troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK and 6,790 litres of PMS.
“On one hand, the above is indicative of the fact that troops are recording successes week in and week out in the ongoing counter- insurgency operations across the country.
“On the other hand, the classic principle of counterinsurgency is that you cannot win this kind of war militarily. We have eliminated several terrorists, their leaders and commanders.
“Troops are continually going after the terrorists and dislodging them from their hideouts. In spite of all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“We must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance.
“There is no doubt that, the times that we are in, is difficult and therefore a watershed moment for our country. Citizens are urged to realize that tough times do not last, but tough people do.
“As a people, we are renowned for our pride in being tough and resilient. There is no better time than now to manifest these qualities in us in overcoming the pains of today for the gains of tomorrow. I dare say that, this too shall pass.
“The time is ripe for patriotic and well-meaning citizens to contribute alternative ideas on ways to make a difference in turning the situation around. Collaborative effort is essential at this time. Simply put, we are one people, one nation and one destiny”, he said.
Major General Edward Buba seized the opportunity of the press briefing to assure Nigerians of the readiness and willingness of the Armed Forces to rise to the occasion at all times.
“The military is wasting no time and sparing no effort to provide security and safety of citizens across the country. Accordingly, we would continue to take necessary measures to ensure a more secure and safer environment for citizens.
“Following the chorus of voices saturating the air waves in the country, there is no gain saying that, there are salient challenges affecting our country that require practical ideas and solutions. It is against this background that the military finds itself uniquely positioned to unabatedly address the security challenges in the country.
‘The armed forces is not only ensuring decimation of terrorists and their cohorts in the country. It remains focused in its concentration on the task and mission at hand.
“For instance, during the week under review, troops neutralised 286 and arrested 244 of them. Troops also arrested 83 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages. In the South South region, troops denied the theft of crude oil estimated at that sum of Two Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Five Million Four Hundred and Seventy Nine Thousand and Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira (N2, 565, 479,720.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 10 IEDs.
“Others are: 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles and 74 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK and 6,790 litres of PMS.
“On one hand, the above is indicative of the fact that troops are recording successes week in and week out in the ongoing counters insurgency operations across the country. On the other hand,the classic principle of counterinsurgency is that you can not win this kind of war militarily.
“We have eliminated several terrorist, their leaders and commanders.Troops are continually going after the terrorist and dislodging them from their hideouts. In spite of all these, it would appear that there more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“Accordingly , we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance.
“There is no doubt that, the times that we are in, is difficult and therefore a watershed moment for our country. Citizens are urged to realize that tough times do not last, but tough people do. As a people, we are renowned for our pride in being tough and resilient. There is a a no better time to manifest these qualities in us in overcoming the pains of today, in order for the gains of tomorrow. I dare say that, this too shall pass.
“The time is ripe for patriotic and well-meaning citizens to contribute alternative ideas on ways to make a difference in turning the situation around. Collaborative effort is essential at this time. Simply put, we are one people, one nation and one destiny.
He emphasized that the troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition such as 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 10 IEDs.
The others were 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00, amongst others.
Major General Edward Buba added that troops of Joint Task Force (JTF) of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists, conducted fighting patrol and intercepted surrendered ISWAP/JAS terrorists/fighters in Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs of Yobe State and Ngala Gwoza and Bama LGAs of Borno State respectively.
“Additionally, troops arrested suspected terrorists collaborators, kidnappers, rail sleepers vandals and conducted night ambush operation in Monguno, Ngala, Chibok and Kaga LGAs of Borno State and Potiskum and Gujba LGAs of Borno State respectively as well as Song LGA of Adamawa State.
The defence media operations spokesman gave more details as follows:
‘’On 13 and 15 February 2024, troops with hybrid forces in separate operations responded to activities of a suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists collaborators and communal clash in Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs of Yobe State as well as Askira-Uba LGA of Borno State.
‘’During the operations, troops arrested 7 suspected terrorists including one logistician identified as Alimaye Modu. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one vehicle, one mobile phone, bows and arrows and the sum of ₦11,500.00 amongst others.
‘’On 14 February 2024, troops with surrendered terrorists conducted fighting patrol to ISWAP/JAS terrorists enclave and made contact in Bama LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 20 terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 dane guns, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 354 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 132 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo, 5 magazines, 2 HH radios, 3 mobile phones and cutlasses.
‘’On 17 and 18 February 2024, troops with hybrid forces in separate operations conducted fighting patrol and made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Konduga and Damaturu LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 32 terrorists and recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 4 fabricated rifles, 2 pump action guns, 3 dane guns, 411 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 152 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 72 belted rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 76 cartridges, 4 magazines, one HH radio, 11 motorcycles, 3 bicycles and 2 mobile phones.
‘’Between 12 and 16 February 2024, 4 ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and their families members comprising 5 adult males, 40 adult females and 7 children surrendered to troops in Ngala, Gwoza and Bama LGAs of Borno State. Following the surrendering, troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 39 rounds 7.62mm refilled ammo, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 5 magazines amongst others.
‘’On 19 February 2024, 3 BH/ISWAP terrorists fighters surrendered to troops in Damboa and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one dane gun, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N10,000.00, amongst others.
‘’Between 14 and 20 February 2024, a total of 234 terrorists comprising 20 adult males 74 adult females and 140 children surrendered to troops within the theatre operations.
‘’On 14 and 15 February 2024, following report, troops in separate operations arrested 7 suspected militias and kidnappers in Chibok and Potiskum LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectively.
‘’On 19 February 2024, troops with hybrid forces responded to kidnapping incidents in Song LGA of Adamawa State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, one FN rifle and 47 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
‘’On 15 February 2024, in separate operations, troops while on patrol arrested 6 suspected rail sleepers vandals in Kaga and Gujba LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectively. During the operations, troops recovered 2 vehicles, 341 railway sleepers and 3 mobile phones.
‘’On 17 and 19 February 2024, troops with hybrid forces while conducting stop and search operation arrested 3 suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists collaborators and Informant in Monguno LGA of Borno State. The informant identified as Ibrahim Yura Aliyu was recognised and identified by a repentant ranger.
‘’On 17 February 2024, troops with Hybrid Forces conducted night ambush and made contact with ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Ngala LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 18 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 12 fabricated rifles, 2 dane guns, 131 rounds of 7.62mm special, 320 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 23 cartridges, 7 motorcycles, 4 bicycles and cutlasses.
‘’On 18 February 2024, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction on the massing up of terrorists at the Southern Tumbuns. The location was observed to be active with terrorists activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees. Subsequently, the locations was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics base destroyed.
‘’Between 13 and 15 February 2024, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air recconaissance and interdiction in Bama, Dikwa, South East and West of Maiduguri. The locations were observed to be active with terrorists activities. Subsequently the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. All other locations were thoroughly scanned with no threat observed’’, he said.
