…as troops neutralizes 715 terrorist, recovered 937 weapons
By Joy Odor
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba on Thursday affirmed that the defeat of terrorist group is non negotiable as it will deny them to terrorize or hurt citizens of Nigeria.
This is even as the synchronised
military strikes between the ground and air forces resulted in over 715 terrorist neutralized.
Maj Gen Buba who gave the affirmation in Abuja while briefing defence correspondents on the activities of troops in the ongoing military operations across the country, as of 2 May 2024 informed that during the process troops arrested 146 persons and rescued 465 kidnapped hostages.
He also noted that the troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #2 bn (N2,572,397,190.00) only.
Breakdown for the month of February, according to him includes and is not limited to the following: 495 AK47 rifles, 190 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 151 dane guns, 11,549 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,722 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 511 rounds of 9mm and 941 live cartridges.
Others are 2,563,335 litres of stolen crude oil, 254,620 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS amongst other item.
The DDMO added that overall, the armed forces is building and maintaining the momentum against the terrorist and their cohorts across the country.
He said the aim is clear, and it is to find and destroy the terrorist and their cohorts whenever they maybe hiding to ensure their enduring defeat.
“Troops are simultaneously fighting in various theatres across the country to deal with the various threat therein.
“Troops conducted offensive operations during the month ranging ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and other covert operations. Tactically, whenever there is a clash between troops and terrorist on the ground.
“Troops clearing win in the fire fight, though sadly in certain operations casualties are sustained. However, each and every engagement ends with troops victory, with several dead or surrendered terrorist in every location.
“Similarly, air assets conducted aggressive air flights during the period under review. Upon confirmation of terrorist presence and the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers.
“The targets are acquired and fighter jets scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclave. The terrorist leaders enclaves engaged include that of terrorist
Nasanda and his loyalist in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State.
“Also, on 13 April 2024, 3 Senior terrorist commanders (Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari) were neutralized at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad. Additionally, on 15 April 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State was destroyed.
“Similarly, on 19 Apr 24, the terrorist hideout belonging to a senior terrorist commander Kamilu Buzaru’s in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated. Then, On 20 April 2024, the gathering of senior terrorist commander Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru’s in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was disrupted by air strikes.
“Several terrorist combatants and the Commanders were neutralized in the air strikes. 0ther terrorist Commanders engaged by air strikes include that of Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State. Then, the Enclave of Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State.
“Thereafter, is the Enclave of Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State. Furthermore is Bello Turji’s Camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto.
“All the surviving terrorist Commanders and leaders are walking corpses as we would get them, sooner than later. Troops are conscious and are not loosing sight of importance of momentum, when it comes to fighting such vicious adversaries.
“The current situation depict a a strain of tactical achievements in degrading the terrorist by dismantling most of the terrorist infrastructure in the NE, killing majority of the combatants, killing a lot of their senior combatants. It must be noted that, many of the terrorist commanders as well have been taken off the battlefield.
“Ongoing operations have suppressed the terrorist and prevented them from achieving their strategic objectives. Troops have equally denied the terrorist freedom of action and disrupted their actives, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to rid the environment of terrorist and the military is not resting on its oars.
Similarly, the Joint Task Force JTF Operation Hadin Kai in the North East of the Theater Operations during the month of Apr 24, troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted operations into Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle and the Tumbus around the Lake Chad Region. All the locations are stronghold in which the terrorist hibernate.
Accordingly, troops neutralised 248 terrorist, arrested 422 suspects and rescued 163 kidnapped hostages. Meanwhile, troops recorded 714 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families.
The summary of recovered items include 208 AK47 rifles, 34 fabricated, 45 dane guns, 18 assorted arms, 3,672 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,058 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 422 assorted ammunitions.
4. Details as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
53
68
71
56
248
2.
Surrendered BHT/Families
83
180
121
330
714
3.
Arrested Terrorists
36
182
143
61
422
4.
Rescued Hostages
9
53
58
43
163
5.
Recovered Weapons
62
88
95
60
305
6.
Recovered Ammunition
1,429
1,402
1,736
1,685
6,252
7.
Equipment Recovered
54
64
40
47
205
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
During the month of Apr 24, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted operations to several of the hotpots responsible insecurity in the Plateau. Troops also had to recaliberate its approach in tackling security situation by making changes in troops deployment.
Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 32 terrorist violent extremist, arrested 148 suspects and rescued 35 kidnap hostages.
Troops equally recovered 23 AK47 rifles, 19 fabricated guns, 93 assorted arms, 788 rounds of 7.62mm special, 451 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 256 assorted ammunitions.
8. Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
6
14
4
8
32
2.
Arrested Suspects
23
41
36
48
148
3.
Rescued Hostages
2
3
4
28
35
4.
Weapons Recovered
18
22
14
11
65
5.
Ammunitions Recovered
418
408
390
288
1,504
6.
Equipment
18
7
6
7
38
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Operation Whirl STROKE conducted operations to several strongholds hibernating terrorist during the month of April 24. Troops also had to change tactics in certain instances in order to retain operational effectiveness.
For instance is the temporary withdrawal of troops at FOB Alawa. Tps at FOBs Allawa and Erena, while on a fighting ptl to Karaga Vil in Shiroro LGA of Niger State had an encounter with terrorists on 19 Apr 24. Troops fought through the ambush but sadly suffered cas of 2 x offrs KIA and 4 x soldiers WIA.
Relatedly, On 23 Apr 24,same troops encountered IED explosion at Maganda Junction killing 2 x sldrs and wounding 5 others. Based on these occurences, there was a quick change in tactics in order to maintain the tactical advantage.
Accordingly, troops in FOB Alawa were tactically withdrawn to nearby FOB Pandogari. The muddy terrain as a result of the set in of the rainy season required that troops changed tactics in the conduct of operations in the area.
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 60 terrorist, arrested 99 suspects and rescued 57 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 40 AK47 rifles, 60 assorted arms, 917 rounds of 7.62mm special, 896 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 331 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
11
25
24
60
2.
Arrested terrorists
14
32
17
36
99
3.
Rescued Hostages
30
11
4
12
57
4.
Weapons Recovered
3
32
38
27
100
5.
Ammunition recovered
120
565
747
712
2,144
6.
Equipment Recovered
22
20
10
22
74
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)
Troops Operation HADARIN DAJI maintained the momentum against the activities of hibernating in Bayan Ruwa and other terrorist enclaves in the operation theatre. It is no longer news, that there is a linkage between illegal mining and acts of terrorism ongoing in the NW operational theatre.
The foreign involvement as a result of the the illegal mining were all established during the just concluded counter terrorist summit held in Abuja. It is believed that a regional and international approach to address the situation is incubating.
Nevertheless, troops of Op HADARIN DAJI neutralized 297 terrorist, arrested 141 suspects and rescued 143 kidnap hostages.
Troops recovered 182 AK47 rifles, 57 fabricated guns, 71 assorted arms, 4,192 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,341 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 556 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
57
62
62
116
297
2.
Arrested Terrorists
7
43
49
42
141
3.
Rescued Hostages
10
45
36
52
143
4.
Weapon Recovered
64
75
70
101
310
5.
Ammunition Recovered
2,145
1,641
1,920
2,283
7,989
6.
Equipment Recovered
29
57
43
46
175
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
Troops of in the Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following in the month of April 2024. Troops neutralized 31 terrorist, arrested 69 suspects and rescued 17 kidnap hostages.
Troops equally recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 28 assorted arms, 538 rounds of 7.62mm special, 397 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1,200 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
15
9
–
7
31
2.
Arrested Terrorists
–
18
14
37
69
3.
Rescued Hostages
–
7
–
10
17
4.
Weapon Recovered
15
11
8
13
47
5.
Ammunition Recovered
352
181
1,403
199
2,135
6.
Equipment Recovered
8
4
12
4
28
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
Troops of Op DELTA SAFE maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops continued to find and destroyed illegal refining sites as well as arrest the perpetrators of oil theft.
During the month of April 2024, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE neutralized 9 violent extremist and arrested 164 persons involved in crude oil theft. Troops also denied the oil theft of 2,563,335 litres of crude oil, 254,620 litres of AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS.
Furthermore, troops recovered 56 assorted weapons and destroyed 74 wooden boats, 1,501 assorted ammunition and 76 illegal refining sites.
Details as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
9
–
–
9
2.
Arrested Terrorists
25
67
27
45
164
3.
Rescued Hostages
–
–
–
–
–
4.
Weapons recovered
10
23
5
18
56
5.
Boats destroyed
33
24
11
6
74
6.
Ammunitions Recovered
269
455
162
615
1,501
8.
Illegal refining sites
16
21
31
8
76
9.
Vehicles
3
4
9
7
23
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
Troops of Op UDO KA recorded the following in the month of Apr 24. Troops neutralized 38 terrorist, arrested 103 suspects and rescued 50 kidnap hostages.
Additionally, troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 23 pump action guns, 661 rounds of 7.62mm special, 34 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 589 live cartridges, 225 assorted ammunitions and 43 other equipment.
Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
15
9
14
38
2.
Arrested Terrorists
1
56
11
35
103
3.
Rescued Hostages
–
17
17
16
50
4.
Weapons Recovered
9
29
12
4
54
5.
Ammunitions Recovered
253
437
566
253
1,509
6.
Equipment Recovered
13
12
8
1
34
