Recent attacks on troops will not affect war against terrorists, collaborators ― DHQ

The Military High Command on Thursday declared that the recent attacks on the nation’s security forces and other locations would not deter the operations of the armed forces, and other security agencies against insurgency activities of terrorists and other criminal elements of the Boko Haram and the Islamic West African Province (ISWAP).

Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Bernard Onyeuko made the declaration while briefing Defence correspondents on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the last two weeks in the various theatre of operations across the six geo-political zones.

While acknowledging the recent operational setbacks that the security forces suffered in the course of battling myriads of internal security challenges, the DDMO declared the military would not relent on the “arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.”

He however pointed out that despite the setbacks, especially in the North Central, the Troops have recorded huge gains and success in other theatres of operation, especially in the North East, North West and South-South respectfully.

According to him, “the last few days were characterized by some operational setbacks orchestrated by terrorists and criminals in North Central.

“This, however, has not dimmed the light on the huge gains and success achieved by own troops in other theatres of operation especially in the North East, North West and South-South.

“Be that is may, own troops would not relent on the arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians.”

This came just as the DDMO disclosed that a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorist and families surrendered to troops comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children during the period under review

Speaking on the activities of the ‘OPERATION HADIN KAI’, he said that “in the last 2 weeks, the land component with the support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre such as: Ukuba/Camp Zairo, Sabil Huda, Ba Masaa, Wulgo, Marta,fulatari village, Uraha Crossing Point, Mbalala, Gamboru town all in Borno State.

According to him, “notably among the exploits of own troops was the capture of the terrorist’s stronghold by Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa forest where some artillery guns, Armored Personnel Carrier, trailers, and a large cache of arms and ammunition were captured.

“Also, own troops destroyed terrorist enclaves, captured some terrorists, destroyed terrorists improvised explosive making factory

“Furthermore, troops also rescued kidnapped civilians and arrested terrorist spies and their logistics suppliers

*The Air Component between 28 – 31 after several days of surveillance of terrorist activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram conducted air interdictions which took out a heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot.

“Cumulatively, in the last 2 weeks troops recovered 1 Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1 MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 Dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorists flags, 1 tricycle and 1 active drone.

“Also, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians, of significant, is the surrendered of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to own troops in Bama.

“He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba. While a total of 51,114 Boko Haram terrorists and families surrendered to troops comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women, and 24,335 children as of 5 April, 2022.

“Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action”.

On the “OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE”, the DDMO said that within the period under review, the troops recorded some modest success as the air component on 30 March 2022 conducted airstrikes upon receiving credible intelligence report about the movements of some terrorists on motorbikes towards Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa road at Mangoro village, between Kaduna and Niger State.

According to him, “the air component intercepted and neutralized scores of the terrorists.

“Accordingly, 34 terrorists were neutralized while 14 locally fabricated guns and 17 motorcycles were recovered. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.

“Also, on 31 March 2022 a large concentration of terrorists were sighted around Kusasu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to an eyewitness account.

Speaking on the achievements of the Nigerian Navy on the nation’s offshore waters, the DDMO said that on 23 March 2022 the Nigerian Navy recorded a milestone in the indigenous systematic survey and charting of our offshore waters.

According to him, “the commencement of the indigenous survey is necessary to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiative through maritime security, maritime trade and transport.

“The indigenous surveying and charting will also lead to safety on our waters and boost the confidence of mariners. With this achievement, Nigeria has joined the elite group of chart producing nations in the world. Hitherto Nigeria sourced its charts from Europe.

“Prior to this time all the navigational surveys and charts were surveyed and charted by the United Kingdom Hydrographic office. Some of them were conducted as back as 1938.

“Furthermore, Nigerian Navy took delivery of a new Ship NNS KADA. The change of flag was carried out in UAE by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff. The Ship is billed to stop over in 5 ports in different for flag shows before it berths in Nigeria. With the acquisition of this Landing Ship Tank (LST), it will give more impetus for aggressive combat patrol, policing and other duties in our coastal waters by the Nigerian Navy.”

On the activities of the “OPERATION DAKATAR DA BARAWO”, he explained that on Friday 1 April 2022, a special operation code-named Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO was flagged off at Onne Port Harcourt aimed at curbing crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering in the Niger Delta area.

He further explained that the Troops in OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre have continued to dominate the zone and conducted anti crude oil theft and anti-illegal oil bunkering related operations at different locations which include; Opuama Celestial, Lolomu Ruler in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo water-ways in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to him, “other locations are; Egbeda, Ibaa, Oduoha, Rumekpe in Emohua Local Government Area, Elele – Owerri in Ikwere Local Government Area of River State and Brass Creek in Ozobo community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“Accordingly, troops discovered and destroyed 30 illegal refining sites, 37 reservoirs, 31 ovens, 12 large wooden boats, 2 cooling systems, 3 receivers, 3 storage pits and b metal drums. Cumulatively, troops with the period under review recovered Twelve Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (12,150,000) litres of illegally refined AGO, Four Thousand (4,000) litres of stolen crude oil, 3 tankers, 3 vehicles, 73 galvanized pipes, 2 motorcycles, 1 bus, 1 Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz car.

“Furthermore, 2 electricity cable thieves associated with vandalisation and stolen of high-tension cables were apprehended. all recovered items and apprehended criminal element were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”

He assured the members of the Public that the Military high command was determined to deal with all terrorists and other criminal elements in the country, saying that the events of the last few days should not bring despair to the populace.

According to him, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria committed in its resolve to bring peace back to the country as we are stepping up our operations in all the theatres.”

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