Metro

Insecurity: Troops kill scores of terrorists, nab 110 in Niger Delta

The Military High Command on Thursday said that in the renewed efforts to address cases of Insecurity in the country, the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have neutralized scores of terrorists, bandits, and suspected criminals while no fewer than 110 others were arrested for various criminal offences with the recovery of various assorted weapons.

The new Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this during the bi-weekly briefing with Defence Correspondents on the operational activities of the troops across the six geopolitical zones of the country for the period 13 – 20 July 2023

He added that during the period under review, the troops also discovered and destroyed illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region and denied oil thieves the sum of N202,788,300 stolen products, while 39 kidnapped civilians were also rescued with the recovery of 10 AK47 rifles and cash sums of money totaling N1,139,000.

Speaking on the operations of the troops in the North-East, he said that the troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered 7 AK 47 rifles, 2 FN rifles, one 36 hand grenade, 100 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, two mobile phones, 2 Cow, foodstuffs, condiment, one cart and the sum of N2,104,000.00 while equally neutralizing six terrorists and arrested 8 suspected terrorists’ collaborators. Troops rescued ten kidnapped civilians during these operations.

Major General Buba disclosed that in the North-Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recovered 1 AK47 rifle, one fabricated pistol, one locally made pistol, 1 Pump action ammo, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special, one motorcycle, cartridge, one mobile phone, machete, axe, fake Nigerian Police ID card and the sum of N35,000.00 only. Troops also neutralized 9 bandits and arrested ten suspects while rescuing 9 kidnapped civilians.

According to him also, the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 367,200 litres of crude oil, 27,150 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 550 assorted rounds of ammunition, 12 calibers of weapons, 7 empty magazines, 17 cutlasses, 3 vehicles, 19 motorcycles, and one dagger. Troops equally destroyed 22 illegal refining sites, 15 wooden boats, 34 storage tanks, 96 ovens, and 16 dugout pits. While a total of 60 suspected criminals were apprehended within the period.

“It is noteworthy to state that an estimated sum of Two Hundred and Two Million Seven Hundred and Eighty-Eight Thousand Three Hundred Naira (N202,788,300.00) was denied the oil thefts during the period in focus,” Major General Buba said.

He added that in the North East, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralized 9 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 3 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1 Dane gun, 5 motorcycles, two phones, and 322 livestock. Troops also arrested 15 suspected criminals and rescued 20 kidnapped civilians.

According to him, “In the conduct of the operation, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 4 pump action gun, 1 Dane gun, 86 live cartridges. Troops also neutralized one criminal and apprehended 12 suspects.

He further added that in the South-West troops of Operation UDO, KA recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 4 pump action guns, one Dane gun, and 86 live cartridges. Troops also neutralized one criminal and apprehended 12 suspects. All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued abducted civilians have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

While acknowledging the support being received from the members of the public with intelligence reports on the activities of the criminal elements, the DMO Director said it was on the basis of such support that many of the operations were conducted.

He says, “This is indicative of the fact that the security challenges confronting us require a collective effort and, therefore, a collective responsibility of all and sundry.”

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE