By Joy Odor
The Defence Headquarters (DMO) has informed that Nigeria military neutralizes 73 terrorists, apprehend182 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities while 14 individuals engaged in oil theft were arrested, and 68 kidnap victims were successfully rescued.
The military’s efforts also led to the recovery of 119 various weapons and 1,537 assorted ammunition, which included one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three PKT guns, 39 AK47 rifles, five locally fabricated rifles, one locally made double barrel gun, one Beretta pistol, four locally made pistols, five RPG bombs, five pump-action guns, one short gun, one hand grenade, two dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one locally made pistol loaded with live cartridges.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO) who made this known while given update on the operations of the armed forces across the country during a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja said the successful intervention prevented the illegal siphoning of valuable oil resources valued at an estimated N1,212,046,140.00 in the South-South region.
The DDMO opined that one of the paramount missions of the armed forces is to safeguard the nation and protect its citizens from the threats posed by terrorists and extremists throughout the country as the military is unwavering in its commitment to fulfilling this mandate, actively leading the way in the ongoing efforts against insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
According to him, these operations have proven effective in eliminating or capturing numerous terrorist and extremist leaders, as well as their collaborators, key associates, and many of their foot soldiers.
Buba said the operations have significantly killed and captured several terrorists, extremist leaders, their facilitators, key associates and numerous of their foot soldiers.
“These operations have resulted in significant achievements, including the neutralization of 73 terrorists and the apprehension of 182 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. Additionally, 14 individuals engaged in oil theft were arrested, and a total of 68 kidnap victims were successfully rescued.
“Recent surgical operations have caused considerable disruption among these nefarious elements due to their precision and effectiveness. This has left terrorists and extremists bewildered, with limited places to hide. The message is clear – it’s only a matter of time before their activities are completely thwarted.D
“uring the week and in collaboration with our foreign partners. The military conducted a surgical operation targeted at the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger State. Several arrest and discoveries were made as a result of the operation. However, being an ongoing operation not much can be revealed at this stage. Nevertheless, one thing is certain, the operation is just one of several others to flush out the terrorist. The message is clear to all. You are either on the side of Nigerians and the armed forces, or against us in the fight against terrorist and extremist.”
“Moreover, the military, in collaboration with foreign partners, carried out a surgical operation targeting the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger State. While details of the operation remain confidential due to its ongoing nature, the operation yielded multiple arrests and valuable discoveries. The key takeaway is that these operations are part of a broader strategy to eradicate terrorism. Major General Edward Buba emphasized the importance of choosing to stand with Nigerians and the armed forces in the battle against terrorism and extremism.
“The comprehensive list of recovered items further underscores the military’s achievements, which includes a substantial amount of ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, communication equipment, and a significant sum of money. Furthermore, troops operating in the Niger Delta region discovered and dismantled 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, four outboard engines, and 63 illegal refining sites. These operations resulted in the recovery of 962,500 liters of stolen crude oil, 35,420 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 38,450 liters of Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 45,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“Furthermore, troops recovered 119 assorted weapons and 1,537 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one GPMG, 3 PKT guns, 39 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated rifles, one locally made double barrel gun, one barreta pistols, 4 locally made pistols, 5 RPG bombs, 5 pu,p action gus, one short gun, one hand grenade, 2 dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm special, one locally made pistol loaded with live cartridges.
Others are: 586 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, a bag containing 287 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 389 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 141 rounds of 7.62mm special (belted) ammo, 12 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 rounds of live cartridges, 25 empty magazine, 13 vehicles, 3 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, 2 HH radio, one boafeng radio and the sum of N3,308,700.00 amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 4 outboard engine and 63 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 962,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 35,420 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,450 litres of DPK and 45,000 litres of PMS.
“These ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have effectively hindered the malevolent intentions of these groups, preventing them from carrying out small-scale attacks intended to spread panic in local communities. The military remains resolute in its mission to safeguard the nation and its citizens from these threats” Buba noted.
Buba advocates that the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives and the military will continue to degrade their ability to carry out small scale attacks which are intended to create panic in localities.
