In the renewed efforts to end insurgency activities in the country, the Military High Command on Thursday vowed that the troops in various theatres of operation across the six geo-political zones would continue to deny criminals, saboteurs and bandits, freedom of action in carrying out their nefarious activities in any part of the country.
Director, Defence Media Operations Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko gave the assurance at the Defence Headquarters Abuja while briefing Defence correspondents on the activities of the military in the last two weeks at the various theatres of operation against insurgencies.
Gen Onyeuko disclosed that already within the period under review, not less than 1000 terrorists, their families, and collaborators have surrendered to troops in various locations of the Northeast theatre of operations while more than 27 terrorists have been killed and scores of assorted arms recovered as troops commence intensive clearance operations to rid the nation of criminal elements, in addition to non-kinetic activities in the country.
He stated that the intensity of these operations had yielded tremendous results as evidenced in the number of casualties and massive surrender of terrorists in Buni Yari, Gorgore, Baga, and Monguno Towns as well as Maiduguri – Baga Road, Maiduguri – Damboa Road, and Bula Yobe – Darel Jamel Road. Operations were also carried out at Kayamri and Mairari villages as well as Monguno and Kukawa Towns, all in Borno State.
“Cumulatively, the operations led to the neutralization of 27 BHT/ISWAP fighters, arrest of 51 BHT/ISWAP terrorists, 3 terrorists’ collaborators as well as recovery of 35 assorted arms and 1,051 round of ammunition including AK-47 and FN rifles, Dushka anti-aircraft guns, GPMG, PKT guns, 60mm mortar tubes, Makarov pistol and other machine guns, amongst other items. In addition, 29 abducted civilians were rescued within the period under review. Gentlemen no fewer than 1,000 terrorists and their families comprising adult females and children surrendered to their own troops at different locations in the North East. Notable among them is the notorious BHT bomb expert named, Musa Adamu aka Mala Musa Abuja, and his deputy, Usman Adamu aka Abu Darda. This has in no small measure depleted the BHT fighting force,” he added.
Consequently, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in the Northwest of the country on 31 July 2021, at Bagida village in Sokoto State; Shinkafi in Zamfara State and Maigora, Falale, and Ungwan Dudu villages as well as Kankara – Katsina Road in Katsina State, repelled some bandits rescuing farmers and kidnapped victims as well as recovered arms, ammunition and some livestock, while some criminal elements were arrested.
According to him, “cumulatively, a total of 89 livestock, 5 AK-47 rifles, 3 rounds of 9mm ball, and 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition were recovered and 4 kidnap victims rescued
“Also, two notorious cattle rustlers named, Mallam Buda Umar from the Niger Republic and Mai Hatsi Ibrahim from Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State as well as four armed bandits and drug peddlers were arrested.
“Furthermore, between 2 and 6 August 2021, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI, carried out intensive airstrikes on bandits’ hideouts at the South of Dansadau Town; North of Kwiambana Forest Reserves as well as North of Sububu Forest and Dudufi village under Faru District in Maradun LGA, all in Zamfara State.
“The airstrikes resulted in the destruction of bandits’ structures including the residence of one of their leaders, Halilu Tubali, in which the armed bandits converged for a meeting. The airstrikes in conjunction with ground troops’ assaults resulted in the neutralization of no fewer than 123 armed bandits and destruction of their logistics facilities in the process
“As part of its non-kinetic approach, troops of Operation Safe Haven carried out Civil-Military activities in Plateau and Kaduna states with the donation of exercise and other writing materials to students of Pilot Science Primary School at Bungha Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau and Government Secondary School, Zango in Zango Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“In Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, it distributed 45 wheelchairs to physically challenged persons as part of a non-kinetic approach towards achieving peace in the North Central Zone”.
He further explained that during the period under review, troops held peace and security meetings with community heads, youth leaders, and other critical stakeholders at the Emir Palace in Wase Local Government Area and Jengre Town in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, to discuss the various security challenges in the general area.
Gen Onyeuko added within the period in focus, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted series of anti-illegal oil operations in the South-South Zone of the Country.
According to him, “these operations were conducted at Orutoru area in Bayelsa State; Olutoro and Adamakiri villages in Bonny Local Government Area, Udeyeada community in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State; and Opuebubor Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
“These led to the discovery and deactivation of several illegal refining sites with a total of 21 ovens, 12 dugout pits, and 58 metal storage tanks laden with a total of 2.329 million litres of illegally refined AGO and 2.19 million litres of stolen crude oils as well as 2 boilers and 750 bags of illegally refined oil products.
” During the operations, own troops also recovered a one-speed boat, one AK-47 rifle, one FN rifle, three smoke gun rifles, 12 fabricated RPGs, 263 live cartridges, 20 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 7.62mm special ammunition among other items.”
He declared that consequently, “within the period under review, security forces ambushed and neutralized 6 IPOB/ESN members, who were involved in the killing of a District Police Officer (DPO) at Omuma Town in Orlu East Local Government Area of Imo State and arrested three suspects in the process.
He added that security forces following intelligence report arrested one notorious IPOB/ESN member named Obumneke Gabriel at Umueli Amaraku Town in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State who was in possession of arms and ammunition during the arrest.
He said that in the same development, troops raided IPOB/ESN members’ hideout at Amaechi Idodo community in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
According to him, “during the operations, one ESN commander was neutralized and another apprehended. while a total of 6 IPOB/ESN members were neutralized and 13 criminal elements were arrested by their own troops and other security forces operating in the Zone within the period.”
Gen Onyeuko added that Troops also recovered a total of 19 AK-47 rifles, 2 single barrel Dane guns, one G3 assault rifle, and 3 locally-made pistols. Other items recovered were 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 daggers, and one locally-made double barrel pistol loaded with 10 rounds of cartridges were recovered in the course of the operations.
He said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria solicited the support of Nigerians for the military while urging the troops to sustain the tempo in other to deny criminals and saboteurs freedom of action in carrying out their nefarious activities.
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