Determined to walk its talk on current crackdown, the military doubled down in the last 14 days as troops neutralized 147 terrorists, nabbed 381 while rescuing 113 hostages in the North, and corralling 23 thieves and N943.2m worth of stolen crude in Niger Delta, according to the Defence Headquarters yesterday.
Perhaps the most devastating strikes by the troops occurred in the oil rich South South region where they busted and destroyed 84 illegal crude oil refining sites in the oil-rich South South region, 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 32 cooking ovens, 2 outboard engines, 2 pumping machines, 2 vehicles, one tricycle and 3 motorcycles.
Director Defence Media Operations at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Major General Edward Buba gave the disclosures on Thursday during the regular 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.
According to him, troops recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS.
He said, “In the South South region of the country, troops denied the oil thieves estimated sum of nine hundred and forty three million one hundred and sixty one thousand six hundred and eighty naira (N943, 161, 680.00) only.”
According to Major General Edward Buba, the military achieved the several feats as well as significant results by using a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means to conduct the operations in the various operational theatres across the country.
He emphasized that ongoing operations across parts of the country were focused on pursuing, defeating and killing the enemy wherever they were hiding and ultimately set the nation on a roller coaster of safety, stability, peace and tranquility.
He also disclosed that in the Northern axis, troops neutralised 147 and arrested 381 persons and rescued 113 kidnapped persons.“Furthermore, troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 dane guns, one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio.
“Others are: 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 112 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 42 live cartridges, 6 vehicles, 32 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones amongst other items.
‘’Overall, the troops are constantly assessing their actions, adjusting and amending their operations in order to annihilate terrorists across.
‘’Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens across the country.
‘’Meanwhile, citizens are urged to note that winning the war depends not only on the military, weapons and finances. It also largely depends on the people.
“Together we can make an extraordinary difference in wiping out insecurity in our nation”, he added.
At the end of the briefing which was also featured reporters’ questions, strategic communication clarifications and interjections on core DHQ matters arising by the Director Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier General Tukur Gusau who attended the event, a minute silence was observed for the repose of the souls of fallen heroes.
