Our Correspondent
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday disclosed the successful significant achievements recorded by the Nigeria military Joint Task Force (JTF) across the Theater operations in the North East (NE), North Central (NC), North West (NW), South South (SS), and South East (SE).
The Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba stated this in his address at a Quarterly Review of the ongoing military Joint Task Force Operational Activities from July – September 2024 during a press conference.
According to him, the success activities are as follows:-
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST)
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following activities during the period under review; surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and families, arrested suspected terrorists collaborators, and conducted ambush, raid and offensive operations as well as repelled suspected terrorists attack n Bama, Dikwa, Konduga, Damboa, Nganzai and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State as well as Madagali and Gujba LGA of Adamawa and Yobe States.
Details as follows:
a. Surrender of BHT/ISWAP Terr Family Members.
(1) On 18 and 19 September 2024, 2 ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters surrendered to troops in seperate operations in Bama and Mafa LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles and 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
(2) Between 18 and 24 September 2024, a total of 94 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and their families comprising 15 adult males 34 adult females and 45 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
b. Arrest of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Collaborators.
(1) on 17 September 2024, following a tip-off, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested one suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
(2) Between 17 and 23 September 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 14 suspected BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists collaborators and informants in Monguno, Dikwa, Kukawa and Gubio LGAs of Borno State as well as Michika and Gujba LGAs of Adamawa and Yobe States.
d. Fighting Patrol. On 17 September 2024, troops while on fighting patrol made contact with suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists in Bama LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 5 dane guns and one bicycle.
c. Ambush Operations. On 21 September 2024, following reports on the movement of suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists fighters, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces ambushed and made contact with terrorists in Azare LGA of Bauchi State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 8 terrorists and recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 4 magazines, 123 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 5 motorcycles amongst others.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 19 and 24 September 2024, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Kaga, Gwoza, Kukawa, Bama, Abadam, Guzamala and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa States.
Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 5 suspects and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one GPMG, one PKM gun, 12 AK47 rifles, one RPG 7 tube, 4 hand grenades, 8 magazines, 300 rounds of linked PKM ammo, 450 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 210 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 7 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones and the sum of N917,000.00 only amongst others.
d. BH/ISWAP Attack on Troops. On 21 September 2024, troops while on offensive operations repelled attack by the suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists in Abadam LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 14 terrorists and recovered one PKT gun, 5 AK47 rifles, 2 hand grenades, 5 magazines, 3 empty PKT links, one x 200 linked PKT rounds and one mobile phone amongst others.
SUMMARY
4. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 89 terrorists, arrested 70 suspects and rescued 83 kidnappers hostages. Troops recovered one PKM gun, one PKT gun, 26 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, one RPG 7 tube, 630 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 200 rounds of PKT ammo, 300 rounds of PKM ammo, 3 empty PKT links, 6 hand grenades, 17 magazines, 12 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, one bicycle and the sum of N917,000.00 amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
5. Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; conducted offensive operations and arrested suspected violent extremists and kidnappers in Riyom, Bokkos, Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
6. Details are as follows:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 17 and 24 September 2024, troops in separate offensive operations raided suspected violent extremists/gunrunners hideouts in Bokkos, Mangu, Jos North and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 9 suspects and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 live cartridges, 2 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones amongst others.
(c) Arrest Operations. Between 18 and 24 September 2024, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 15 suspected violent extremists/kidnappers and gunrunners in Jos South, Bassa, Riyom and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
SUMMARY
7. Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 10 violent extremists, arrested 33 violent extremists and rescued 48 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 153 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 live cartridges, 2 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones amongst others.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
8. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the week under review; raided and arrested suspected violent extremists Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State.
9. Details are as follows:
a. Arrest Operations. On 16 September 2024, following a Tip-off, troops raided a suspected violent extremist identified as Mallam Ali Tambaya residence in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops arrested one suspect and recovered one AK47 rifle with 42 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo. Troops further arrested one accomplice known as Alhaji Dandi.
SUMMARY
10. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 8 violent extremists and rescued 21 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle and 42 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)
11. The troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI recorded the following during the period under review. Arrested suspected terrorists collaborators and informants, responded to terrorists activities and conducted offensive as well as counter/anti kidnapping criminality operations in Maradun, Jibia, Danmusa and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina State as well as Gusau, Maradun and Shinkafi of Zamfara State. Additionally, troops conducted operations in Giwa and Sabon Gari LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Bagudo and Rogo LGAs of Kebbi and Kano States.
12. Details are as follows;
a. Arrest of Suspected Terrorists Collaborators/Informants.
(1) On 17 September 2024, following tip-off, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested one suspected terrorists informant and gunrunner identified as Murtala Mande Zurmi, an affiliate of a notorious wanted terrorists known as Dan Karami in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.
(2) Between 17 and 21 September 2024, following credible information, troops in separate operations made contact with terrorists in Gusau and Jibia LGAs of Zamfara and Katsina States as well as Bagudo LGA of Kebbi State. Troops also conducted operations in Giwa and Sabon Gari LGAs of Kaduna State.
During the operations, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and arrested 6 suspects. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally fabricated gun and 2 motorcycles.
b. Terrorist Activities. On 21 and 23 September 2024, troops in separate operations responded to distress calls on activities of suspected terrorists in Isa and Jibia LGAs of Sokoto and Katsina States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one locally made gun, one AK47 rifle mag and 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo.
c. Offensive Operations. Between 17 and 23 September 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Dandume and Safana LGAs of Katsina State as well as Maradun and Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State. Troops also conducted operations in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 3 and rescued one kidnapped hostage. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine and one motorcycle.
d. Counter/Anti Kidnapping Operations. Between 17 and 23 September 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists/kidnappers in Maradun and Rogo LGAs of Zamfara and Kano States as well as Danmusa and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina State. During the operations, troops rescued 18 kidnapped hostages and recovered one vehicle.
13. Air Interdiction. Following confirmatory ISR, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI in multiple passes on 16 September 2024 conducted air interdictions at suspected terrorists kingpins Alhaji Bello, Alhaji Sule and Gajere Mai’Yargitta hideouts in Bukkuyyum LGA of Zamfara State. The locations were acquired and engaged with cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized including Alhaji Bello, Sule and Gajere. Also, their structures and logistics were destroyed.
14. Furthermore, on 20 and 21 September 2024 respectively, multiple coordinated air interdiction missions were conducted at suspected terrorists kingpins Abdulmalik Shirge’s enclaves in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State. The location were acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.
SUMMARY
15. Overall, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 71 terrorists, arrested 59 terrorists and rescued 62 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 fabricated guns, one magazine, 66 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one vehicle and 3 motorcycles amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
16. The troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the week under review; conducted ambush and offensive operations, arrested suspected violent extremists and rescued kidnapped hostages in Birnin Gwari and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Suleja LGAs of Niger State. Troops also conducted operations in AMAC and Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja.
17. Details are as follows;
a. Ambush Operations. On 17 September 2024, troops while on offensive operation ambushed suspected violent extremists/terrorists and made contact in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 67 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 magazines and 3 motorcycles amongst others.
b. Rescue of Kidnapped Victims. On 17 September 2024, troops while on patrol responded to distress call on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops rescued 20 kidnapped hostages and were reunited with their families.
c. Offensive Operations. On 15 and 17 September 2024, joint operations between the armed forces and security services led to elimination of 6 suspected violent extremists and arrested 3 suspects in Kachia and Suleja LGAs of Kaduna and Niger States respectively.
Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 121 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
d. Arrest Operations. Between 19 and 24 September 2024, joint operations between the armed forces and security services in separate operations led to interception and arrest of 9 suspected violent extremists and gunrunners in AMAC and Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 178 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
7. Air Interdiction. Following reports, the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in multiple passes on 19 and 20 September 2024, conducted air interdiction at suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists camps at Shiroro and Kachia LGAs of Niger and Kaduna States respectively.
The locations were observed to be active with terrorists activities and plan to ambush land component. Subsequently, the targets were acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their logistics destroyed.
SUMMARY
15. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralized 21 terrorists, arrested 36 suspects and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 366 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 magazines, 3 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
16. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Troops conducted offensive operations and arrested suspected violent extremists/armed vandals in Ahoada West and Uvwie LGA of Rivers and Delta States as well as Esan West and Oredo LGAs of Edo State.
a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 692,920 litres of stolen crude oil, 32,758 litres of illegally refined AGO, 300 litres of DPK and 3,200 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 8 dugout pits, 19 boats, 32 drums and 48 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 46 cooking ovens, 23 vehicles, 4 speedboats, one tricycle and 48 illegal refining sites.
b. Armed Vandals Attack on Troops. On 16 September 2024, joint operations between the armed force and other security services led to successful repel of attack by suspected violent extremists/armed vandals in Ahoada West LGA of River State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 armed vandals and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 8 magazines and 69 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
c. Offensive Operations. On 21 September 2024, troops in seperate offensive operations raid suspected violent extremists and responded to kidnap incidents in Uvwie LGA of Delta State. During the operations, troops arrested 119 suspected extremists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.
d. Arrest Operation. Between 19 and 20 September 2024, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 9 suspected violent extremists/political thugs in Esan West and Oredo LGAs of Eso States. During the operations, troops recovered 2 pump action guns, 24 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 72 live cartridges and 3 vehicles among others.
17. Air Interdiction. Air Component of Operation DELTA SAFE in multiple passes conducted air interdiction aimed at curbing security challenges, crude oil theft, damage of oil and gas infrastructure, illegal refining as well as sea robbery with a view of restoration of oil and gas production to full capacity. During the operations, several illegal refining sites, storage tanks, reservoirs, barges and boats were destroyed.
SUMMARY
18. Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 692,920 litres of stolen crude oil, 32,758 litres of illegally refined AGO, 300 litres of DPK and 3,200 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 8 dugout pits, 19 boats, 32 drums and 48 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 46 cooking ovens, 23 vehicles, 4 speedboats, one tricycle and 48 illegal refining sites.
19. Troops neuralized 4 extremists, apprehended 150 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists as well as rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 12 magazines, 7 assorted arms and 234 assorted ammunitions.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
20. Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review; arrested of suspected IPOB/ESN members in Umuahia North and Nnewi North LGAs of Abia and Anambra States as well as Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State.
21. Details as follows:
a. Arrest. On 20 and 22 September 2024, troops acting on credible reports intercepted and arrested 8 suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Umuahia North and Nnewi North LGAs of Abia and Anambra States as well as Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State. During the operations, troops recovered one dane gun, one locally made pistol, one AA cartridge and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
SUMMARY
22. Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 18 extremists, arrested 20 violent extremists and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one dane gun, one locally made pistol, one AA cartridge and 2 mobile phones amongst others. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
