The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, on Thursday, said that it has uncovered a grand plot by terrorists and their sympathisers to embark on a massive media propaganda to blackmail the Military over the ongoing airstrikes which is hitting hard on them.
Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba disclosed this to Defence Correspondents in Abuja during the bi-weekly briefing on the ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria AFN and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the six geo-political zones of the country, against insurgency activities.
General Buba who vowed that the military would continue to mount intensive pressures on the terrorist to bring them to their kneels however urged the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathisers saying that the Military operations have prevented the evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
According to him, “The prerequisite of ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations by the military across the country is defeating the terrorist and dismantling their military, administrative and political capabilities.
“Accordingly, through our operations we are continually boxing in the terrorist and dismantling their resupply routes.
“The military is working decisively to kill the terrorist, dismantle their networks and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens. It is for these reasons that the armed forces would continue to hunt the leadership of these terrorist groups everywhere across these theatres of operations.
” Being a professional force, due diligence by way of Intelligence, Surveillance and Recogniance is painstakingly taken to distinguish the terrorist before air strikes are conducted. These air strikes have resulted in the death of several of these terrorist leaders and the cohorts hibernating in enclaves across the theatres of operation.
“It therefore should not be surprising, that these terrorist and their sympathisers plot on blackmailing the military as a result of these air strikes. The plot is to depict some casualties as innocent citizens rather than cohorts of these terrorist. It is therefore important for the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathisers. Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
The DMO explained that during the period under review, troops neutralized 192 terrorists and arrested 341 persons, while rescuing 62 kidnapped hostages
He added a total of 122 ISWAP/JAS combatant terrorist surrendered with their family members while Troops also arrested 37 perpetrators of oil theft.
He further explained that in the South South, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of N821,248,740.00 only.
According to him, “Furthermore, troops recovered 211 assorted weapons and 6,288 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 128 AK47 rifles, 26 dane guns among other items. Others are: 1,301 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3,260 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,325 live cartridges, 140 round of 9mm ammo among other items.
He further added that the Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 99 dugout pits, 36 storage tanks and 192 cooking ovens while the troops also recovered 349,970 litres of stolen crude oil, 112,135 litres of illegally refined AGO, 7,560 litres of DPK and 13,000 litres of PMS.
According to him, “the military recognises that there is still a challenging and tough war campaign still ahead , overall, our objective is to defeat the terrorist and their cohorts by denying them the ability to continue to fight.
” The lifeline of these terrorist groups is the people. Winning the war without the support of the people is close to impossible. It is for this reason, we encourage the civil populace and civil societies to galvanise support in a whole of society approach to facilitate the total defeat of these terrorist. The time is now for citizens to know that they have a responsible to the nation.
” For instance, a cursory look at our security situation shows that it is unique, in the sense of being self inflicted. Beginning with the Boko Haram Terrorist in the North East. The illegal mining and kidnapping enterprise in the North West and North Central, these are perpetrated under the guise of terrorism.
” The agitation of IPOB in the South East have proven to be for self aggrandisement. Then, the call for a Yoruba Nation which is laughable. All these buttress how our security situation is self inflicted in the country.
The DMO added; “These acts are against the constitution and therefore unacceptable for persons or groups to take up arms against a constituted government” , warning that “anyone or group that contravenes this provision of the constitution is inviting severe military action and would be dealth with decisively”.
While assuring that, ” the fighting spirit of our men and women in uniform is strong, resilient, focused, proud and committed, he said that the Military has no choice but to continue to fight to defeat the enemy and create a safer environment for Citizens