By Joy Odor
The Defence Media Operations (DMO) on Thursday declared nine (9) terrorists wanted who are terrorizing the North East, causing crime against humanity, Nigerians and the country.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO) made the declaration in his speech at a bi-weekly Media briefing at Defence Headquarters Abuja on the ongoing military Operations across in the month of October.
He also disclosed that in October 2024, troops neutralized 481 terrorists, arrested 741 persons, rescued 492 kidnapped hostages, recovered 480 weapons, 9,026 assorted ammunition while denying the oil theft of an estimated sum of close to #4 bn (N3,896,400.960.00) only.
According to him, the breakdown for the month of October includes and is not limited to the following: 263 AK47 rifles, 81 locally fabricated guns, 91 dane guns, 76 pump action guns, 5,683 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,944 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 642 cartridges, 160 assorted arms and 1,526 assorted ammunition. Others are 3,226,645 litres of stolen crude oil, 763,860 litres of illegally refined AGO and 12,690 litres of PMS amongst other items.
The DDMO maintained that the Airforce also carried out bombardments and air interdiction on these terrorist hideouts and enclaves with precision, thereby diminishing the fighting capabilities of these terrorists, noting that the terrorist knows that they cannot match the military strength as the options open to them is to surrender or be killed in the battlefield.
General Buba affirmed that the Troops have done a tremendous job of significantly dismantling the terror groups across the country, in various theatres of operations, saying their strategy remains to undermine the ability of these terror groups and their cohorts.
He said, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender and are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose.
Maj. Gen mandated Nigerian citizens to always give first hand information to the military to help in the fight against insurgency.
“On the whole, even as the armed forces mourn the tragic passing away of the COAS, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja. We will not allow his passing to derail our focus to destroy the terrorists.
“We are rather inspired by his actions on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorist in order to end the war. Accordingly, the military will continue work decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity in the nation and ensure the safety of citizens” he said.
Speaking while paying his respect over the tragic passing of late Chief of Army Staff COAS,Lt Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja together with Defence Correspondent members, the DDMO affirmed that his death will not derail the military focus to destroy the terrorists, but rather inspired by the actions of late COAS on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorist in order to end the war.
He assured that it would continue working decisively to eliminate the terrorists, stop the insecurity in the nation and ensure the safety of citizens while remaining in a good and strong position in the war against terrorism and other criminals acts and will win the war.
