- Rescues 122 kidnapped victims in one week
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The onslaught against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves and other criminals disturbing the peace of the country has continued to yield positive results with the killing of 286 terrorists and arrest of 337 others in one week.
The onslaught also led to the discovery and destruction of 74 illegal refining site,134 dugout pits, 79 boats, 116 storage tanks 149 cooking ovens, 11 vehicles and rescue of 122 kidnapped hostages.
This is just as the armed forces has vowed to take necessary measures to ensure a secured and safer environment for citizens to carry out their legitimate businesses without fear of being harassed.
Director, Defence Media Operations(DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made this known, said troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition comprising 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 36 hand grenades and 10 IEDs, 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and the sum of N4,876,950.00.
Buba, at a media briefing on military operations conducted in the last one week, said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 70 terrorists, arrested 31 BH/ISWAP terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops conducted fighting patrol and intercepted surrendered ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters in Damaturu and Potiskum LGAs of Yobe State and Ngala Gwoza and Bama LGAs of Borno State.
“Additionally, troops arrested suspected terrorists collaborators, kidnappers, rail sleepers vandals and conducted night ambush operation in Monguno, Ngala, Chibok and Kaga LGAs of Borno State and Potiskum and Gujba LGAs of Borno State respectively. As well as Song LGA of Adamawa State.
‘Troops recovered 47 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 21 fabricated guns, 8 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 2 hand grenades, 3 locally made pistols, 1,163 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 604 rounds of 7.62mm NATO,72 rounds of belted 7.62mm NATO ammo, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled, 99 cartridges, 16 magazines, 3 vehicles, 18 motorcycles, 13 mobile phones, 2 HH radios and the sum of N21,500.00 among others.
“On 18 February 2024, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdiction on the massing up of terrorists at the Southern Tumbuns. The location was observed to be active with terrorists activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees.
“Subsequently, the locations was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their logistics base destroyed.
“Between 13 and 15 February 2024, the air component conducted air reconnaissance and interdiction in Bama, Dikwa, South East and West of Maiduguri. The locations were observed to be active with terrorists activities.
” Subsequently the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. All other locations were thoroughly scanned with no threat observed.
“In the North Central, troops of operation Safe Haven neutralised 5 insurgents, arrested 36 violent extremists and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 82 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and the sum of N642,930.00 amongst other items.
Troops conducted raid operation, arrested suspected violent extremists and notorious kidnappers in Bassa, Mangu, Jos South, Barkin Ladi Bokkos and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State.
“Between 15 and 18 February 2024, troops in separate operations raided suspected violent extremists/drug peddlers hideouts in Mangu and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 32 violent extremists and recovered 3 fabricated pistols, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 mobile phones, substance suspected to be cannabis and assorted charms.
“Troops of operation Whirl Stroke neutralised 14 violent extremists and terrorists, arrested 12 and rescued 5 kidnapped hostage.
“Troops conducted fighting patrols, foiled attack on civilians and conducted raid operations in Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
“Troops recovered 15 AK47 rifle, 2 fabricated pistols, 8 dane guns, 336 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 91 rounds of 9mm ammo, 54 cartridges, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N655,930.00 amongst others.
“On 15 and 18 February 2024, troops in separate operations responded to attack on civilan by suspected armed herders in Apa, Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 12 suspected violent extremists and recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 3 dane guns, 148 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 4 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones.
“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 58 terrorists, arrested 5 terrorists and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages.
Troops conducted offensive operation, fighting patrol, arrested suspected terrorists collaborators, responded to suspected terrorists and conducted ambush operation in Tsafe, Bakura, Bukuyyum, Zurmi and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State and Sabuwa, Batsari and Katsina State as well as in Isa and Gwarzo Sokoto and Kano States respectively.
“Troops recovered 29 AK47 rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, one fabricated pistol, 2 pistols, one revolver pistol, 524 rounds of 7.62mm special, 343 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 56 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 magazines, 7 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amonsgt other items.
“On 14 and 15 February 2024, troops in seperate operations conducted offensive operations and made contact with terrorists in Sabuwa and Isa LGAs of Katsina and Sokoto States respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 15 terrorists and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 3 locally fabricated guns, one locally made pistol, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 32 rounds of 9mm ammo, one mobile phone and one motorcycle.
“On 18 February 2024, troops while on offensive made contact with terrorists in Isa LGA of Sokoto State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 12 terrorists and recovered 9 locally fabricated guns, one revolver pistol, 163 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones.
“On 14 February 2024, following ongoing investigation of terrorist suspect identified as Salisu Usman, troops further arrested one suspected terrorists collaborator in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State. Suspect identified as 12NA/67/1531 Cpl Ibrahim Rabiu a personnel of Nigerian Army alleged to be supplying military accoutrements to insurgents. The case is undergoing investigation.
“Between 15 and 18 February 2024, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji in multiple passes conducted air interdiction in Kankara and Zurmi LGAs of Katsina and Zamfara States respectively.
“The missions were conducted based on observed massing up of terrorists in terrorists kingpin Abdulkarim and Sani Black enclaves. Subsequently, the locations were engaged with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their structures destroyed”.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch also in the North West neutralised 93 terrorists, arrested 32 violent extremists/terrorists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops conducted fighting patrols and arrested suspected violent extremists in Chikun, Kachia, Kajuru, Giwa, Makarfi and Birnin Gwari LGAs of Kaduna State and AMAC and Gwagwalada Area Councils of FCT Abuja. As well as Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.
“Troops recovered 55 AK47 rifles, 14 locally fabricated guns, 7 dane guns, 4 pump action guns, 3 double barrel guns, 2 fabricated revolver pistos, 1,123 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 411 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 331 PKT rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 84 cartridges, 5 magazines, 33 motorcycles, 12 mobile phones, 2 HH radios and the sum of N6,452,950.00 amongst other items.
“On 14 February 2024, troops in a separate operations ambushed suspected violent extremists/terrorists in Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 20 insurgents and arrested one suspected violent extremist and collaborator.
Troops also recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 4 dane guns, 4 pump action guns, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 104 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 84 live cartridges, 3 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N2,000,000.00 amongst others.
“On 16 February 2024, troops raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja. During the operation, troops arrested 5 suspects and recovered substance suspected to be cannabis, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N6,950.00), among others.
“On 14 February 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 18 suspected violent extremists in AMAC of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered bulletproof vest, substance suspected to be cannabis, assorted charms and the sum of N9,000.00 amongst others.
“In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 5 violent extremists, apprehended 98 suspects for oil thefts and other violent extremists/insurgents. Troops also recovered 9 weapons and 171 ammunitions amongst other items.
“Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK and 6,790 litres of PMS.
“Troops arrested suspected violent extremists/bunkerers, armed robbers, cultists and raided illegal mining site in Okpe, Oshimili North and Ika South LGA of Delta State and Biase LGA of Cross Rivers state.
“In the South Esst, troops of Operation Udoka neutralised 39 insurgents and arrested 10 violent extremists.
“Troops recovered 17 pump action guns, 3 double barrel automatic pump action guns, 2 double guns, one pistol, 5 fabricated pistols, 236 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 371 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 180 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 206 cartridges, 10 IEDs, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 12 mobile phones, military accoutrements amongst other items.
Troops conducted fighting patrols, raid operation, ambush violent extremists and arrested violent extremists and kidnappers in Orsu, Obowo and Ihiala LGAs of Imo State as well as Awka and Nsukka LGAs of Anambra State.
“On 14 and 15 February 2024, troops in separate operations raided suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN hideouts in Orsu LGA of Imo State. During the operations, troops made contact with violent extremists.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 7 insurgents and arrested 2 violent extremists/ collaborators. Troops also recovered 3 pump action guns, 2 double barrel automatic pump action guns, 33 cartridges, IED making materials, military camouflage, IPOB uniforms and currency. In addition, troops discovered and successfully detonated IEDs.
“On 18 and 19 February 2024, in separate operations, troops raided suspected violent extremists/IPOB hideouts and shrine in Orsu and Awka North LGAs of Imo and Anambra States respectively.
During the operation, troops made contact with violents extremists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 extremists and arrested 3 suspects. Troops also recovered 4 pump action guns, 10 IEDs (Ogbunigwe), 371 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 236 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds of 5.5mm ammo, 72 live cartridges, 8 magazines, 3 baofeng radios, 5 vehicles, 3 mobile phones, military and Biafran uniforms, among others.
“On 17 and 19 February 2024, troops in a separate operations ambushed suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN hideouts and made contact with extremists in Orsu and Ihiala LGAs of Imo and Anambra States respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralised 19 violent extremists and recovered 10 pump action guns, one pistol, 4 locally fabricated pistols, 2 double barrel guns, 101 live cartridges, 45 rounds of 9mm ammo, 4 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones and 2 radios.
Continuing, Gen. Buba said, “The above is indicative of the fact that troops are recording successes week in and week out in the ongoing counter insurgency operations across the country. On the other hand,the classic principle of counterinsurgency is that you can not win this kind of war militarily.
“We have eliminated several terrorists, their leaders and commanders.Troops are continually going after the terrorists and dislodging them from their hideouts. In spite of all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“Accordingly, we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for government at various levels through hearts and mind projects indicative of good governance.
“There is no doubt that, the times that we are in, is difficult and therefore a watershed moment for our country. Citizens are urged to realize that tough times do not last, but tough people do. As a people, we are renowned for our pride in being tough and resilient. There is no better time to manifest these qualities in us in overcoming the pains of today, in order for the gains of tomorrow.
“The time is therefore ripe for patriotic and well-meaning citizens to contribute alternative ideas on ways to make a difference in turning the situation around. Collaborative effort is essential at this time. Simply put, we are one people, one nation and one destiny.”