…Decimated 624 terrorist, neutralizes 1,051
By Joy Odor
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday sound a warning to Nigerian citizens not to mistake the military professionalism for weakness.
The reminder is sequel to the assault of unarmed military personnel at Banex Plaza, Abuja on 20 May 2024 and the unprovoked killings of 17 personnel in Okuama in Delta State which is capable of demoralizing the fighting spirit and morale of the troops across all theatre operations.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba who stated this in Abuja during the review report of Joint Task Force Operational Activities for the Month of May 2024 informed that these occurrences are unhealthy for our national security, counter productive and amount to self sabotage.
According to him, the recent incidents is worrisome and leaves much to be desired, pointing out that it is no way to treat any human, certainly not a military personnel that places self in harms way to protect citizens or to safeguard the nation.
The DDMO maintained that the military has demonstrated high sense of discipline and professionalism in the face of the untoward attacks and hoped that the people would equally realize that, they need the military to win the war to guarantee their safety.
Maj General Buba lamenting that this must not repeat itself as it jeopardizes the common interest, noting that to win this war, they needs the support of people.
He was of the opinion that if troops err, report them and the military justice system will address the matter, saying doing otherwise is unpatriotic.
“We are at war, and citizens must realize that they also have a responsibility by their actions and utterances to support troops to keep the morale and fighting spirit of troops at optimal at all times.
“Overall, we would continue to fight until the terrorists is defeated on the battlefield and help our nation flourish again” he said.
The DDMO also explained that troops are admirably making progress in the ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations across the country with the degraded of 624 terrorist, neutralized 1,051 terrorists including their logistic suppliers and informants arrested, while 563 hostages were rescued.
Maj Gen Buba opined that the progress made is through the cumulative effort of killing the terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants, as well as, taking away their most important assets such as logistics, administrative and fighting capabilities.
He said these all combine to destroy the will to fight of the terrorist and their cohorts.
“Troops have continued to receive tremendous institutional support and are receiving increasing popular support in the conduct of operations. Indeed, The level of troops stamina and commitment to completely destroying the terrorist remains unwavering.
“Additionally, troops recovered troops recovered 707 assorted weapons, 16,487 assorted ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #700 Mill (N705,836,036.00) only.
“Breakdown for the month of May 24 includes and is not limited to the following: 411 AK47 rifles, 234 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 231 dane guns, 10,782 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4,310 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,623 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 1,023 rounds of 511 rounds of 9mm and 2,100 live cartridges.
“Others are 4,871,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 931,416 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,480 litres of PMS amongst other item.
“The joint operational environment coupled the synergy with other security and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimal performance of troops in the conduct of operations” he stressed.
