The Defence Headquarters DHQ says, troops across various theatres of operation across the country have neutralized 140 terrorist and arrested 135 in the fight against insurgency as at 24th of October, 2024.
Addressing defence correspondents at the biweekly press briefing on Thursday, 24th October 2024, Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces has dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities. Troops have denied these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
Enumerating the successes recorded so far General Edward Buba said during the period under review, troops neutralised 140 terrorists, arrest 135 suspected persons while 18 perpetrators of oil theft was also arrested.
According to him, the troops rescued 76 kidnapped hostages and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Seven Hundred and Fifty One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,751,886,550.00) only in the South South.
Buba noted that in the South East theatre of operations Troops arrested an IPOB terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh who is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.
During the period the military recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition.
The DDMO gave the breakdown as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one barreta pistol, 2 bayonets and 42 AK47 magazines.
Others are: 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only amongst other items.
In the Niger Delta area , Buba said the troops discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites .Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, 3 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.
In North East, troops of Operation HADIN ΚΑΙ neutralized 43 terrorists, arrested 27 suspects and rescued 25 hostages.
In North Central, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 14 violent extremists, arrested 45 persons and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages
Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles and 581 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst other items.
In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 16 violent extremists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages.
While in the North West, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 62 terrorists, arrested 29 persons and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages according to Major General Buba.
A breakdown of Major General Edward Buba troops activities during the period under review;
“The ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces has dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities. Troops have denied these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives. As the war wages, troops continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations and retain operational flexibility.
“Troops continue to deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader. The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.
“Similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as
Emmanuel Onwugu. He was arrested in Mbano LGA of Abia State.
“ Relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock. He was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu in Abia State.
“ Meanwhile, during the week under review, troops neutralised 140 and arrested 135 persons. Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Seven Hundred and Fifty One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,751,886,550.00) only.
“ Furthermore, troops recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one barreta pistol, 2 bayonets and 42 AK47 magazines.
“ Others are: 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only amongst other items.
“ Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites .Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, 3 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“ Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorist on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again.
The DDMO however appeal to Nigerians to collaborate with the Military in the fight against criminals and criminality.
In his words: ”We call on citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in our nation.
