Worried by the increasing daring insurgency activities in the recent past, the Defence Headquarters, on Thursday declared that henceforth the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, will continue to respond with overwhelming military force against any group that threatens the safety of citizens and own forces.
Director Defence Media Operations, DDMO, Major General Edward Buba who stated this while updating Defence Correspondents on the Military Operations by the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security forces in the six geo-political zones of the country against insurgent activities in the country confirmed the loss of 3 officers and 22 soldiers in a recent ambush attack in Niger State.
According to him, “The military is strategically deployed across the country to conduct operations aimed at curtailing the activities of violent extremist groups fomenting insecurity in the country.
“To this end, troops will continue to respond with overwhelming military force against any group that threatens the safety of citizens and their own forces. The men and women of the armed forces will continued to put themselves in harms ways, time and time again, to protect our great nation”
Speaking on the Nigerian Air Force Helicopter that crashed in Zungeru Shiroro Local Government Areas of Niger State on earlier in the week the Director, said that investigation was in progress to determine the cause of the incident and urged citizens to be wary of propaganda by terrorists.
According to him, “the NAF Helicopter that was crashed was on evacuation mission from Kaduna it evacuated 14 dead soldiers 3 officers and 7 wounded ones in an earlier attack with 2 Pilots and 2 Crew members on board as the time it crashed.
“During the week leading to 17 August 2023, the military neutralized 28 terrorists, arrested 92 terrorists, 6 gunrunners, 3 kidnappers, 6 collaborators, 7 perpetrators of oil theft. Troops also rescued 82 kidnapped hostages and denied oil theft the sum of Eight Hundred and Seventy-Six Million Four Hundred and Fifty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N876,451,800.00) only.
“Overall, troops recovered 108 weapons and 564 ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 22 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 6 pump action guns, 4 dane guns, one fabricated rifle, one galil ace rifle, one RGP bomb, one RPG tube, 44 hand grenades, 322 rounds of 7.62mm special, 63 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 12 rounds of 5.6mm ammo, 33 AK47 magazines, one empty case of 7.62mm special and 3 empty magazines.
“Other items include; 14 motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, 3 motorolla radio, one boafeng radio, 2 motorcycle tyres, 5 touch lights, 2 solar panels, 104 livestock and the sum of Two Million Eight Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Four Hundred Naira (N2,896,400.00).”.
According to him, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 36 dugout pits, 62 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, one vehicle and 75 cooking ovens. Others include; 4 pumping machine, 5 outboard engine and 33 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, troops recovered 1,166,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,491,250 litres of illegally refined AGO, 54,750 litres of DPK and 800 litres of PMS.”
Speaking on JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST), he said “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested a terrorist’s collaborator and kidnapper at Gujba and Kaga LGAs of Yobe and Borno States respectfully. Additionally, BH/ISWAP terrorist combatants surrendered to troops at Kukawa, Konduga and Bama LGAs of Borno State. The operations resulted in eliminated terrorists, rescued kidnapped hostages, recovered arms and ammunitions.
According to him, “on 7 Aug 23, troops conducted fighting patrol along Road Buni Gari – Buratai in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. The troops discovered an abandoned vehicle by the road side between Magza and Kamuya villages. Troops exploited deep into the bush and arrested 2 suspected kidnappers. Then, recovered the vehicle, one bicycle, one blanket and the sum of Eighty-Eight Thousand Naira (₦88,000.00) only.
“On 8 August 2023, troops arrested two persons, a BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborator and a kidnapper, namely Samuel Bitechor and Bacha Ali, at Mainok Village in Kaga LGA of Borno State. Troops recovered the sum of Thirty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred Naira (₦39,600.00) and one mobile phone.
” On 14 Aug 23, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces arrested 3 BH/ISWAP terrorists logistics suppliers at Bama in Bama LGA of Borno State. troops recovered 3 AK 47 magazines, 2 solar panels, yards of clothing materials, camouflage vest, 4 mobile phones and the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50,000.00) only among other sundry items.
Speaking on BH/ISWAP Fighters surrendered to Troops, he explained that between 7 to 9 August 2023, 3 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province combatants surrendered to troops at Kukawa and Konduga LGA of Borno State. One of the fighters was identified as Mallam Abba Modu. Items recovered from the terrorists include 3 AK47 rifles, 26 rounds of 7.62mm special, 3 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special and 3 empty magazines.
According to him, “on 11 Aug 23, 8 Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists surrendered to troops. Troops recovered 6 AK 47 rifles and 45 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo. Preliminary investigation revealed terrorists surrendered from Birnin Abuja Village in Bama LGA of Borno State.
“On 14 Aug 23, 32 suspected BH/ISWAP and families comprising 9 adult males, 10 adult females and 12 children surrendered to troops at Doron Baga and Corss Kauwa villages in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle (SLR), 12 rounds of 5.6 mm ammo, 14 AK47 magazines with 211 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 4 AK47 rifle magazines, 2 hand grenades, 3 magazine bandoliers, 4 mosquito nets, 2 praying mats, 2 knives, 3 touch and other sundry items.
“Between 15 and 16 August 2023, a total of 29 Boko Haram Terrorists and families comprising of 6 Adult males, 4 adult females and 10 children surrendered at Doron Baga and Kwatan Turare villages in Kukawa LGA of BORNO State. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one Galileo rifle, one AK47 rifle with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4 AK47 magazines, 7 mobile phones 5 mosquito nets, 5 blankets, 2 torch light, 5 praying mats, 2 transistor radio, one school bag, clothes, 3 wristwatches, 2 BHT uniforms and a sum of Two Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N213,800.00).
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