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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Army said its troops on internal security operations across the country have recorded significant breakthroughs in ongoing operations with the arrest of a notorious militia kingpin, rescue of kidnapped victims, and discovery of illegal oil bunkering sites, among other notable successes.
It said that in a major security milestone, troops of Sector 2 Operation Whirl Stroke, deployed at Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State, arrested a wanted militia leader, Haruna Abdulhamid, during a sting operation in Gidan Waya.
The suspect, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for his involvement in coordinated criminal activities, including attacks on communities, kidnapping, and illegal arms dealing, was arrested following credible human intelligence about his movement to collect cash as proceeds from one of his nefarious engagements.
The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.
It further stated that troops engaged in ongoing counter-terrorism operations, in conjunction with hunters and Hybrid Forces in the North East, engaged terrorists during a fighting patrol to Pambula Village in Madagali LGA, Adamawa State, and killed a terrorist and recovered a weapon and four motorcycles abandoned by the terrorists.
In Borno State, troops deployed in Bama Local Government Area were said to have engaged terrorists in a firefight, neutralised one, recovered weapons, and destroyed terrorist hideouts and life support structures.
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The sting operation also led to the surrender of three ISWAP/JAS family members, comprising an adult female and two minors.
The troops also discovered a 40mm unexploded mortar bomb during a patrol along Damboa–Azir road in Damboa LGA. The area was immediately cordoned off and the device safely recovered by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
In Kebbi State, troops conducted a successful ambush operation at River Kaa following reports of cattle rustling by terrorists. The troops rescued six kidnapped victims and recovered four rustled cattle.
Similarly, in the South East, troops acting on credible information arrested a suspected member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) at a checkpoint in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State. The suspect is linked to past attacks on security personnel and infrastructure. He is being interrogated and providing useful information to the security agencies.
Furthermore, anti-oil theft operations continued in the South-South. On Monday, July 7, troops of 34 Artillery Brigade and 197 Special Forces Battalion uncovered an illegal refining site in Egbema West, Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State. The site contained 60 cooking drums with about 15,000 litres of stolen crude oil, as well as reservoirs with illegally refined petroleum products. The illegal infrastructure was dismantled in accordance with Operation Delta Safe directives.
In a similar operation, troops of 3 Battalion, in collaboration with Tantita Security Services, intercepted boats transporting 1,720 litres of suspected illegally refined petroleum products along Jeddo Waterways in Warri South LGA, Delta State. The suspects fled on sighting troops, and the recovered items were appropriately handled.
The Nigerian Army said it remains committed to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of citizens through aggressive and coordinated operations across all theatres.
