… As troops neutralised 171 terrorists leaders, commanders, arrested 302 persons
By Joy Odor
The Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba on Friday affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is actively thwarting and mitigating terrorist threats and activities across the country through ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations.
According to him in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on the ongoing military operations, during the week under review, the troops neutralised 171 and arrested 302 persons.
The troops also arrested 25 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 134 kidnapped hostages in the NE and NW theatres of operations while neutralising several terrorist leaders and commanders.
He maintained that the military in NC arrest notorious kidnappers and gun runners.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Eight Hundred and Forty Six Million Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N846,480,800.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 1,499 assorted ammunition.
The breakdown is as follows: one PKT gun, one G3 rifle, 3 AK49 rifles, 44 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 18 dane guns, 10 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, 18 AK47 magazines, 2 FN magazines, one smoke grenade and one bandolier.
“Others are: 843 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 506 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ball rimmed, 90 live cartridges, 5 baofeng radios, 11 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, 4 bicycles, 52 mobile phones, cutlasses and the sum of N126,285.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 26 dugout pits, 13 boats, 90 drums and 45 storage tanks.
“Other items recovered include 155 cooking ovens, 4 speedboats, one pumping machine, 7 vehicles and 98 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 799,400 litres of stolen crude oil and 151,150 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“The military will maintain its operational activities across the country to ensure enduring defeat of terror groups in the country.
” Additionally, troops continue to demonstrate stamina, resolve and strong desire to protect citizens and ensure their safety across the country.
