Audacious troops nabbed IPOB kingpin, Pius Iguh killing 140 terrorists arresting 135 criminals, rescuing 76 hostages and impounding N1.7b crude from 18 thieves in Niger Delta in the past seven days ago of aggressive strikes against non-state actors in the country.
Director Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday during a bi-weekly media briefing on activities and operational successes recorded in the various operational theaters within all the six geo-political zones of the country.
Major General Edward Buba said that the crackdown on criminality, counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces had dealt ballistic blows on terrorist capabilities, noting that gallant and courageous troops denied the terrorists from achieving their devious objectives.
“As the war wages, troops continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations and retain operational flexibility.
“Troops continue to deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance, in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader.
“The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.
“Similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu. He was arrested in Mbano LGA of Abia State.
“Relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock. He was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu in Abia State”, he added.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 140 and arrested 135 persons. Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Seven Hundred and Fifty One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1, 751,886,550.00).
“Furthermore, troops recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one barreta pistol, 2 bayonets and 42 AK47 magazines.
“Others are: 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, 3 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
Major General Edward Buba stressed that troops would not leave any stone unturned until enemies of the Nigerian state are totally dislodged and defeated.
“Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again. We call on citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in our nation”, he said.
He emphasized that ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces would continue to deal heavy blows on terrorist capabilities, pointing out that troops have unflinchingly denied them from accomplishing their evil desires.
