The Military High Command said on Thursday that it has strategically deployed troops to conduct massive operations across the country in order to create a safe environment for citizens against insurgency activities
Director of Defence Media Operations, DMO Major General Edward Buba, stated this while briefing Defence Correspondents on the ongoing operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies
at the various theatres of operations in the last two weeks across the country against insurgency activities
According to him, “The Armed Forces are determined to end terrorism and insecurity across the country.
” Accordingly, troops are strategically deployed to conduct operations across the country to create a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful duties and activities.
” Furthermore, we are carrying out attacks on the terrorist enclaves and strongholds, aimed at eliminating the leadership and foot soldiers of these terror groups.
” Troops will continue to go after these terrorists and apply military pressure to destroy them and their cohorts across the country.”
General Buba disclosed that during the period under review, ” the Armed Forces conducted synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves and hideouts. Immediately upon the acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to conduct major bombardment raids on significant terrorist enclaves.
He explained that the” troops conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols, and other forms of offensives against the terrorists.
According to him, “the combination of these offensive postures resulted in over 40 neutralised terrorists and 191 arrests. Troops then recovered 72 assorted weapons and 338 assorted ammunition.
He added that during the period under review, “troops also arrested 68 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Four Hundred and Eight Million One Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N408,147,460.00) only.”
According to him, “the breakdown of recovered weapons and ammunition is as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 6 FN rifles, 8 pump action guns, 4 locally fabricated rifles, 19 Dane guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,085 rounds of 7.62mm x 56mm ammo, 5.56mm x 45mm ammo, 84 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, and 12 live cartridges.
“The others are one PKM barrel, one locally made bomb, two RPG chargers, one bandolier, 34 magazines, 10 vehicles, 32 mobile phones, 18 motorcycles, 23 bicycles, 6 Boafeng HH radios, and the sum of N895,900.00, amongst other items.
He further added that the “troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 23 dugout pits, 30 boats, 99 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles, and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered include 135 cooking ovens, one speedboat, five pump machines, two motorcycles, and 68 illegal refining sites.
He said that the troops, in addition, recovered 406,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 252,112 litres of illegally refined AGO, 3,158 litres of DPK and 10,800 litres of PMS
On the update on the Kaduna Community Military Airstrike, General Buba assured that the outcome of the findings of the two panels set up on the incident by the federal government and the military would not be covered up
Speaking on “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST), General Buba said that ” the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrols to BH/ISWAP enclaves in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Troops then arrested BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
According to him, “fighting patrol. On December 13, 2023, troops conducted a fighting patrol to the BH/ISWAP terrorists’ enclave and made contact with terrorists in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Following a firefight, troops neutralised one terrorist and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one PKM barrel, one motorcycle, and two bicycles.
He added, “On 14, 2023, troops arrested four suspected terrorist collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operation, troops recovered foodstuffs, medical supplies, two mobile phones, and the sum of Ten Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N10,650. 00) only.
According to him, ” Overall, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised seven terrorists, arrested eight, and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one PKM barrel, two mobile phones, one motorcycle, one bicycle, and the sum of N10,650.00.
On the “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL),” he said that the “Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN foiled a kidnapping incident in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Troops also arrested suspected armed robbers in Bokkos LGA of the state.
According to him, “On December 13, 2023, troops while on patrol responded to information on kidnapping activities in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Troops rescued two kidnapped hostages in the operation.
He added that “on December 15, 2023, troops with hybrid forces responded to information about an armed robbery incident in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops arrested two suspected armed robbers. Troops recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle and three mobile phones.
According to him, “Overall, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised three terrorists, arrested nine, and rescued five kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one locally fabricated rifle and three mobile phones.
Speaking on the North Central, he explained that the troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE raided suspected terrorist hideouts and recovered ammo in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
According to him, “On December 15, 2023, troops, while on fighting patrol, raided terrorist hideouts in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. Following a firefight, troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 8 magazines, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 2 RPG chargers, 8 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones, 1,085 rounds of 7.62 x 56mm ammo, 45 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 3 Dane guns, one Pump action gun, and one Boafeng HH radio, amongst other items.
” Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised one terrorist, arrested seven terrorists, and rescued three kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, three Dane guns, two x 36 hand grenades, eight magazines, 1,085 rounds of 7.62mm x 56mm of special ammo, 45 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm, two RPG chargers, eight motorcycles, seven mobile phones, and one Boafeng HH radio, amongst others.
Speaking on “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST),” Buba said that “the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI arrested suspected terrorist informants and collaborators in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Troops also conducted fighting patrols in the Illela and Gwadabawa LGAs of Sokoto State. Additionally, troops conducted offensive operations in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.
He stated, ‘On December 11, 2023, troops responded and apprehended a suspected terrorist informant in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Upon preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to serving as an informant to the terrorists’ ringleaders, identified as Damin and Yusuf Yellow, for over one year.’
‘On December 12, 2023, troops detained another suspected terrorist collaborator in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.’
‘Fighting Patrols: On December 12 and 13, 2023, troops conducted separate fighting patrols in Illela and Gwadabawa LGAs of Sokoto State. During these operations, troops engaged with terrorists. In ensuing clashes, troops eliminated six terrorists and seized two AK-47 rifles, two mobile phones, and a total sum of eight hundred and eighty-five thousand two hundred and fifty naira (N885,250), among other items.’
‘Offensive Operation: On December 14, 2023, troops engaged terrorists in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State during an offensive operation. Troops neutralised three terrorists, while others fled. Additionally, troops successfully rescued six kidnapped hostages. The operation yielded 2 AK47 rifles, 19 magazines, 40 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 2 Dane guns, 84 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 2 radios, and 4 mobile phones, among other items.’
‘Air Interdiction: On December 15 and 16, 2023, following intelligence and confirmatory ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), the air component of HADARIN DAJI carried out air interdictions on two terrorist leaders’ enclaves: Rabe’s and Alhaji Maidawa’s enclaves in Danmusa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State. These locations were active hubs for bandit activities.’
‘Targets were identified and attacked using rockets and cannons in multiple passes based on acquired intelligence. The Battle Damage Assessment revealed the neutralisation of several terrorists, destruction of their structures, and logistics.’
‘In total, Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralised nine terrorists, arrested six, and successfully rescued 15 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 Dane guns, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 84 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 19 magazines, 6 mobile phones, 2 radios, and a sum of N885,250.00, among other items.’
He emphasised that the ongoing operations aimed to dismantle terrorist groups nationwide, with the military’s foremost priority being the protection of both citizens and foreigners.”
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