The Military High Command on Friday reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria in collaboration with other security agencies would not back down in its offensive operations aimed at tackling insecurity across the country but would rather brutally hunt down the orchestrators and take appropriate actions to hold them accountable for their actions.
This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Bub on the reports of the ongoing military operations against insecurity in the various theatres of operations in the six geopolitical zones of the country in the last one week
He, however, pointed out that “the military, while conducting these operations will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of our own objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians.
“The uncommon cooperation, collaboration and support received from citizens across the country is greatly assisting own operations to yield expected results. Nigerians are speaking up, and the military is doing something about it.”
According to the statement, “during the week leading to 11 August 2023, the military neutralized 38 terrorists, arrested 175 gunmen/ criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborator and 17 pipeline vandals.
“The military also rescued 89 kidnapped hostages. Troops denied the oil theft saboteurs the sum of six hundred and seven million, three hundred and forty-six thousand, seven hundred and fifty naira (N607,346,750.00) being the value of seizures.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition. The break down as follows; 14 AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, 3 AK47 rifles loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one SMG, 10 dane guns, 5 locally fabricated pistols, 2 fabricated weapons, 2 double barrel guns, one locally made revolver, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 151 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 rounds 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 12 AK47 magazines, one G3 rifle magazine, one FN rifle magazine, one magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm special and 7 empty cases of 7.62mm special.
“Miscellaneous items recovered include; 33 motorcycles, 30 mobile phones, 4 tricycles, 4 Motorola HH radios, 4 vehicles, 10 bags of fertilizers, 73 livestock, 7 cutlasses, one magazine pouch, 2 solar panels, 10 litres of PMS, Nigerian Police uniform, 2 gas cylinders, one power bank, one pair of woodland and desert camouflage each. T
roops also recovered the sum of Two Million Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Naira (N2,592,240.00).
“On 2 Aug 23, troops raided the suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist enclave at Garin Ba’aba in the fringes of Sambisa Forest in Bama LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorist. Following a firefight, the terrorist fled and troops recovered one SMG rifle, 5 AK 47 rifle magazines, 3 rounds of 9 mm ammo, one Dane gun, 3 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist flags among other items.
“On the same day, troops ambushed Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists at a checkpoint at Gambaru in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, one mobile phone and 2 motorcycles among other items.
“Additionally, troops responded to information of the presence of suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists at Shotorom Village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorist. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 3 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists while others fled. Troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK 47 Rifle, 35 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammo and a binding chain.
“On 4 Aug 23, troops raided Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist enclave at Gava Village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorist. Following a firefight, troops neutralised one Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist while 22 terrorists with their families were captured. Troops recovered assorted drugs, 2 mobile phones and the sum of thirty-three thousand naira (N33,000.00) only.”
It added that in the course of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered ;3 AK47 rifles, one SMG rifle, one dane gun, 6 AK47 magazines, 49 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 3 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 motorcycles, 8 mobile phones, 3 BH/ISWAP flags, substance suspected to be cannabis, binding chains and sum of Thirty-Three Thousand Naira (N33,000.00) only.
DDMO assured the nation that the military would sustain its offensive until the criminal elements were brought down completely.
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