Military will not support unconditional change of govt —DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ)  stated that the armed forces would not support any unconstitutional change to the country’s democratically elected government on Friday.

This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja, providing a report on ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies in various theaters of operations across the country as of Friday, August 8th of this year.

The statement declared that the military would work with other security forces in tackling all the security challenges confronting the nation.

According to the statement, “The armed forces are ready as a formidable force to address the emerging threats confronting the nation, particularly those arising from the prevailing issues of protests in the country that have taken a violent and subversive dimension.

“Indeed, as part of our constitutional responsibilities, we will not relent in tackling these threats to ensure the stability of our nation.

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“Importantly, the military stands firm and resolute in preserving the nation’s hard-earned democracy and opposes any form of unconstitutional change of government.

“Furthermore, we will work assiduously to provide the enabling environment to support the government in achieving its objectives of addressing issues of poverty and hardship in the country.”

The statement explained that during ongoing operations across the country in the week under review, troops neutralized 108 individuals and arrested 172 others.

It stated, “Troops also arrested 32 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 214 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South region, troops prevented the theft of an estimated sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Forty-Six Million Three Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,346,382,900.00).

“Additionally, troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 rounds of assorted ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows: one DShK machine gun, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK-56 rifle, 37 AK-47 rifles, four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six Dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier, and two HH radios.

“Others include 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, nine live cartridges, one belt of NATO ammunition, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones, and the sum of N4,986,000.00 among other items.

The statement added, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats, and 12 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 71 cooking ovens, two speedboats, two pumping machines, two HH radios, 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, one wheelbarrow, and 76 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 1,133,800 liters of stolen crude oil, 228,770 liters of illegally refined AGO, 100 liters of DPK, and 20,000 liters of PMS.

It concluded, “Overall, the military will not allow enemies of democracy to derail the democratic process in our nation. Essentially, as part of our mandate as a force, we are committed to ensuring that democracy thrives in our nation.”

He further explained that “during ongoing operations across the country in the week under review, troops neutralized 108 and arrested 172 persons.

“Troops also arrested 32 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 214 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South, troops prevented the theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Three Hundred and Forty-Six Million Three Hundred and Eighty-Two Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,346,382,900.00).

“Additionally, troops recovered 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 rounds of assorted ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows: one DShK machine gun, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK-56 rifle, 37 AK-47 rifles, four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six Dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier, and two HH radios.

“Others include 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, nine live cartridges, one belt of NATO ammunition, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones, and the sum of N4,986,000.00 among other items.”

He stated that all the arrested suspects, recovered exhibits, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.