The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has assured that its troops across all theatres of operation will not rest until all kidnapped victims across the country are rescued and reunited with their families.
Addressing Defence correspondents on Thursday 14th,March 2024 during its biweekly media parley in Abuja, Director Defence Media Operations, DDMO, Maj.Gen Edward Buba reiterated the resolution of the military high command to this end.
In his words: “As in every war, there are complexities and ours is no exception. Recently, cases of citizens being abducted in the NE, NW and NC theatres of operations were recorded. These citizens were abducted by a brutal and blood tasty group that should only be addressed as terrorist, and not bandits. I repeat, these are terrorist and not bandits.
They are holding these citizens against their will and against all norms of human behaviour, and against the laws of armed conflict and any good measure in the world. No doubt, this is a difficult situation, but not one that is insurmountable.
“The hostage situation is an extremely sensitive one which unfortunately is not unprecedented in the history of the ongoing war. These hostages are being held in locations that are difficult to get to, but not out of reached. The situation is however indicative of the desperation of these terrorist to avoid troops onslaught by all means.
“Recall that in recent times troops have decimated several of the terrorist leaders, commander and foot soldiers and fast closing in one several others. These terrorist have exhibited cowardice by going for such soft targets to impede troops advances.
I assure you that we will not rest until they are returned. Several of their leaders and commanders have been killed as a result of troops onslaught. They want to use these hostages as human shield for their survival. Nevertheless, be assured that we will not rest until the hostages are returned”.
Highlighting the activities of the military in the last 2 weeks across the length and breadth of the country, Buba disclosed that part of the successes recorded by the military include the elimination of no fewer than 213 terrorists and the arrest of 216 terrorists during the period under review..
According to him troops also uncovered and destroyed 45 illegal refining sites, in the creeks of Niger Delta region and 67 perpetrators of oil theft were arrested and 26 kidnapped hostages rescued within the same period.
Gen. Buba said that troops denied the oil thieves, an estimated sum of One Billion Five Hundred and Fifty Eighty Million, Six Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand, Eighty Naira, only.
The Troops he added recovered 189 assorted weapons and 4,003 assorted ammunition.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 150 dugout pits, 30 boats, 73 storage tanks, 209 drums and 15 vehicles. Other items recovered includes 105 cooking ovens, three pumping machines, two outboard engines, one tricycle, four motorcycles and 45 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 1,227,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 313,780 litres of illegally refined AGO and 13,000 litres of PMS”.
Assuring that the military will continue to degrade the terrorists each passing day, Gen. Buba noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria has seriously depleted their ranks to the extent that they are on a desperate recruitment drive, hence some of the witnessed abductions.
“The aim of the military in ongoing counterinsurgency war is the enduring defeat of terrorist groups across the country and the dismantling of their military capabilities, such that they can no longer terrorize or hurt citizens.
He said, “We are winning the war and making life unbearable for these terrorist.
“We continue to degrade them each passing day.
“We have seriously depleted their ranks to the extent that they are on a desperate recruitment drive, hence some of the witnessed abductions.
“Several of their leaders and commanders have been neutralised as a result of troops onslaught”.
He also informed that the terrorists have changed their strategy and now using the hostages as human shield.
He said, “They want to use these hostages as human shield for their survival. Nevertheless, be assured that we will not rest until the hostages are returned”.
While urging members of the public to resist the temptation to post repost propaganda news from terrorists. He said the terrorists are criminals and should not be celebrated.
“As patriotic citizens, we must resist the temptation to celebrate post from terrorist and enemies of the state. These are not good people, rather they are devils from the pit of hell. Consequently, If you find yourself celebrating terror, you’re wrong. Pure and simple,” Gen. Buba said.
