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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said soldiers engaged in the counter-insurgency war and other security operations across the country killed 115 terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, and arrested 238 others in the last one week.
The soldiers also arrested 51 oil thieves, destroyed 56 illegal refining sites, and rescued 138 kidnapped hostages.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, made this known at a media briefing on the update of military and security agencies’ operations conducted across the country in the last week.
He said that during the period, troops recovered 145 assorted weapons and 3,825 assorted ammunition, comprising one GPMG, two PKT guns, 68 AK47 rifles, two AK56 rifles, 24 fabricated rifles, 28 dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, six locally made pistols, one pistol, eight pump-action guns, one hand grenade, four fabricated hand grenades, one RPG bomb, and three explosives.
Giving an update on the operations, Buba reaffirmed that the aim of the armed forces in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war is to find and destroy the terrorists and their cohorts wherever they may be hiding in the country.
He said, “In achieving this aim, we recognise the need to continue to act and respond forcefully against terrorists. Accordingly, we are collecting intelligence, hunting them down, and striking locations where they are confirmed to be hibernating. For instance, troops killed a notorious terrorist commander named Munzur Ya Audu in the NE through well-executed operations.”
“Furthermore, serious efforts have been made to dismantle the military capabilities as well as destroy the terror networks of these groups. Troops are also actively targeting terrorist logistics bases and other structures affiliated with terror groups.”
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Continuing, Gen. Buba said, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 115 and arrested 238 persons. Troops also arrested 51 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 138 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil thieves an estimated sum of Nine Hundred and Twenty-One Million Eight Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand One Hundred and Forty-Six Naira (N921,847,146.00).”
“Furthermore, troops recovered 145 assorted weapons and 3,825 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: one GPMG, two PKT guns, 68 AK47 rifles, two AK56 rifles, 24 fabricated rifles, 28 dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, six locally made pistols, one pistol, eight pump-action guns, one hand grenade, four fabricated hand grenades, one RPG bomb, and three explosives.”
“Others include: 2,093 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 246 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 317 rounds of 7.62mm GPMG/PKM ammo, 129 live cartridges, 28 shotgun cartridges, 500 empty cases of MG ammo, 147 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, three empty cases of cartridges, 54 magazines, three Baofeng radios, three handheld radios, one bandolier, 12 vehicles, 24 motorcycles, 11 bicycles, 51 mobile phones, and the sum of N7,245,500.00, among other items.”
He said, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 78 crude oil cooking ovens, 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 56 drums, 26 storage tanks, and 56 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include two speedboats, one barge, two tricycles, one pumping machine, two walkie-talkies, two outboard engines, nine mobile phones, and 12 vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 872,070 litres of stolen crude oil and 67,985 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
“Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the troops’ focus is on fighting terrorists across the country. Accordingly, the Air Force has been striking terrorist enclaves with air attacks. Troops have also exerted significant military power on areas where the terrorists are hibernating.”
“Meanwhile, there is no gain in stating that we are at war against a cruel and vicious enemy. It is, therefore, imperative that we degrade their military capability and effectiveness.”
“Overall, troops are mission-focused, prepared, and motivated to win the war against terrorism. We recognise that it is a difficult task and that there will be casualties. We are doing our best to minimise the casualties.”
“On the whole, it is our pride as a force to place ourselves in harm’s way in order to protect our citizens. We are fully committed to defeating all threats so that citizens can live in a safer and more secure environment. This is the sacrifice we make as a force for our nation.”
