From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Nigeria Reawakening Initiative has described the decoration of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, with the rank of a four-star General as well deserved and a call to duty.
The group’s Convener, Bashir Bello, in a statement, yesterday, said the leadership concept released last week gives hope that, very soon, the security challenges facing the country will be a thing of the past. He said the synergy, which is one of the concepts, is already playing a role in the successes being recorded across the various theatres of operation.
“The various services have keyed into the leadership concept of the CDS, hence, criminals across the country are having it rough.
“Recently, several terrorists loyal to the notorious terrorists’ kingpin, Alhaji Nashama, were eliminated by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD).
“Similar airstrikes were also conducted on terrorists’ enclaves at Hanawanka in Shiroro LGA and Palele, a village on the borders of Shiroro and Munya LGAs of Niger State.
“In the Northeast, air strikes were also conducted by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, on July 25, 2023, at a terrorists’ hideout located about 1.5Km East of Arra in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
“Between July 28-29, 2023, air strikes by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft were conducted in various locations in Zurmi, Tsafe, Faskari and Jibia Local Government Areas (LGA) in Zamfara and Katsina States. Specifically, in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, the air component obliterated at least 16 terrorists in enclaves believed to belong to terrorist kingpin, Dankarami.
“Just recently, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army (NA), operating in 6 Division Area of Responsibility, in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as operatives of Tantita Security, have uncovered and invaded a major illegal oil refining site at Owahwa community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“Also, the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction missions at Degema and Krakrama in Rivers. Over the locations, the active illegal refining sites were engaged with rockets, damaging some equipment.
““Troops destroyed 42 illegal refining sites, 36 wooden boats, 68 storage tanks, 77 ovens, 19 dugout pits, four speedboats and five outboard engines. N388,441,660.00 was denied the oil thefts by troops operating in the Niger-Delta. In the course of operations, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 498,650 litres of crude oil, 168,145 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 4,400 litres of dual purpose kerosene.
“Similarly, troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted offensive operations against the terrorists’ enclaves in Gwoza, Konduga, Bama and Mafa local councils of Borno State. Troops are also making sure there is peace in the South-East. Troops of Operation UDOKA raided camps/hideouts of suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network gunmen, at Oroma, Umuemu and Umuewelum villages in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Similarly, troops raided gunmen hideouts in Mmiata Anam Forest in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State as well as Garki and 9th Mile in Enugu East and Udi Local Government Areas of Enugu State,” he said.
He added: “All these and several others not mentioned, coming just a few weeks after assumption of office by the CDS and the service chiefs, is an indication that they are up to the task ahead of them. We, therefore, urge Nigerians to give the armed forces maximum support to tackle the security challenges.”