Gallant troops in July notably upped the counterterrorism profile killing 102 terroristswhilenabbing 345, rescuing 393 kidnap victims and hauling1,870 weaponsand 57 fatiguedterrorists downing their arms in surrender.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Michael Onoja whodisclosed theseyesterday at a monthly briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria(AFN) raised the bar in national security.
He said troops significantly degraded the capabilities of criminal and terrorist networksacross the seven theatres of operation in the country, and dealtseveral series of fatal blows to terror groups and other criminal elements in the month of July.
“The period recorded the successful neutralisation and surrender of several high value targets, which has furthered our operations to diminish the effectiveness of the terrorists’ and criminals leadership structures in identified areas across the country,” he said.
According to him, troops operating across the various theatres of operation also recovered 59 weapons and 1,811 rounds of ammunition, dismantled criminal logistics networks, destroyed terrorist camps, and intensified operations against crude oil theft and illegal refining activities in the Niger Delta.
Major General Onoja said Operation HADIN KAI in the North Eastneutralised 54 terrorists, arrested 102 suspects, rescued 102 kidnap victims, and caused the surrender of 57 insurgents and their families.
Among the major successes was the elimination of Abu Salim al-Barnawi, a senior Boko Haram/ISWAP commander and propaganda chief, during an operation in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Troops also arrested a foreign fighter from Sudan, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, several terrorist logistics suppliers, and rescued numerous abductees while sustaining pressure that forced more terrorists to surrender.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA rescued 191 kidnap victims, neutralised 33 terrorists, and arrested 66 suspects across Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States. Troops foiled multiple kidnap attempts, rescued the Rector of Federal Polytechnic KauraNamoda, Dr. Aminu Yusuf, members of his family, and dozens of other civilians during coordinated rescue missions.
Troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD theatre in the North Central rescued 11 kidnap victims, neutralised eight terrorists, and arrested 18 suspects, disrupting arms trafficking networks and rescuing victims during several operations in Kwara and Niger States.
Similarly, Operation ENDURING PEACE in Kaduna and Plateau States arrested 60 suspects, neutralised two terrorists, rescued 18 kidnapped victims, and intercepted illegally fabricated firearms and other weapons destined for criminal groups.
Under Operation WHIRL STROKE, troops operating across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Taraba States neutralised five terrorists, arrested 70 suspects, and rescued 24 kidnapped victims. Among the notable successes was the killing of a notorious terrorist kingpin known as Puuga in Benue State and the destruction of criminal hideouts linked to wanted terrorists.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations against crude oil theft, dismantling 18 illegal refining sites and recovering more than 250,500 litres of stolen petroleum products. Troops also rescued 37 civilians, arrested suspected kidnappers and economic saboteurs, while disrupting illegal bunkering activities in Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom States.
Troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East arrested 26 criminal suspects, rescued 10 civilians, recovered several firearms and ammunition, dismantled illegal bunkering sites, and intensified operations against IPOB/ESN elements and other criminal networks.
The Defence Headquarters also highlighted the contributions of the Air Component of the Armed Forces, which carried out precision air interdictions and intelligence-driven strikes that neutralised terrorists in Niger State and supported ground troops in several operations across the country.
Commending troops for their professionalism and sacrifices, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede praised the successful rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, stressing that the operation was accomplished without paying any ransom.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed the commitment of Armed Forces’ to sustain offensive operations against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, secessionist violence and other forms of criminality, urging Nigerians to continue to give more support to security agencies with timely and credible intelligence through the military’s toll-free emergency line 193.
Also in July, the military recorded significant milestones in the fight against crude oil theft and economic saboteurs resulting in the recovery of over 250,500 litres of petroleum products, and the dismantling of 18 illegal refining sites and generally denying sea pirates of speedboats to criminalise the country’s waterways.
Major General Onojaalso spoke on the civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) initiative of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, disclosing that the AFN recorded major progress in the use of non-kinetic approach in the counterterrorism mission.
According to him, the subject featured prominently in the mediation meetings ofJuly 17 and 24 between SEEPCO and its host communities of Aseomuku and Umusadege-Ogbewhich was held to resolve disputes threatening peace in the operational area conducted by the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE.
He noted that in the Aseomuku engagement, the mediation team directed the company to review outstanding community documentation and present a formal response at the next sitting. While in the Umusadege-Ogbe engagement, the company was directed to complete an outstanding road project and expand local content employment ahead of a follow-up review next month.
Major General Onoja noted that both engagements reflected the AFN’s ongoing efforts to sustain dialogue and de-escalate tension between oil and gas operators and host communities within the Niger Delta region.
He also disclosed that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE had a series of peace and security meetings across Benue and Nasarawa States on July 4, 9 and 17, at Abako (Katsina-Ala LGA), Jato-Aka (Kwande LGA) and Agbaragba (Guma LGA) respectively, bringing together community leaders, traditional rulers, local government officials and representatives of other security agencies to address inter-ethnic and communal tensions.
‘’All engagements were reported successful, reflecting the sustained commitment of the AFN to dialogue-based conflict resolution and confidence-building among host communities within its area of operations”, he said.
Following reports of a cholera outbreak at Cross Kauwa, Kukawa LGA of Borno State, troops of Operation HADIN KAI were deployed on July 4, to set up temporary treatment and quarantine measures in coordination with local health authorities.
He said troops partnered with the Nigerian Bar Association and General Hospital Baga to conduct a cholera sensitisation campaign across schools and markets in Baga and Doro Baga to educate residents on the symptoms, prevention and hygiene practices.
The construction of a town hall in Kutia Village Obudu Cross River State, an industrial solar power borehole with 80,000 liters overhead tank capacity in Kerau Area of Katsina State and a town hall including the installation of 500kva transformer at Lowa Community, IhitteUboma LGA in Imo State were successfully executed.
Others were a constructed industrial solar power borehole with 80,000 litres overhead tank capacity in Muye Community of Niger State, re-installed electrification in Ikot EdegheMkpatEnin LGA of Akwa Ibom State, renovation and furnishing of a primary school building in Allor, Ankpa LGA of Kogi State andinstallation of an industrial solar powered borehole and water reticulation with 60,000 litres overhead tank water capacity in 5 different water points at Esie Kingdom in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
