Military kills 187 terrorists, arrests 213 others, rescues 109 kidnapped victims
The Military said on Thursday that troops deployed for counter terrorism, counter-kidnapping and anti – banditry operations in the last one neutralised 187 terrorists, arrested 213 criminal elements and rescued 109 kidnapped victims.
Troops also discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refinery sites Troops in the, 49 storage tanks, 30 boats and 18 massive dug out pits and 66 cooking ovens while oil theft estimated at over N1,12billion was denied crude oil thieves.
The Military further disclosed that it is “aware of some of the plans to target some critical infrastructure in the country” noting “Accordingly, we have emplaced measures to forestall such plans. Security agencies responsible for securing critical infrastructure and facilities have also been placed on alert. Accordingly, some of such plans have been frustrated”.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba while making this known at a briefing stated that during the encounters, “troops recovered 128 assorted weapons and 3,300 assorted ammunition including 80 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated guns, 15 Dane guns, 4 locally fabricated pistols, 2 hand grenades, 2 primed IEDs and materials, 26 AK47 magazines
and the sum of N102,010.00 amongst other items”.
Detailing the operations, the DMO said, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East neutralized 97 terrorists, arrested 45 suspects and rescued 21 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops recovered 47 AK47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, 2 FN rifles, 4 pump action guns, one single barrel gun, 12 magazines, 282 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 231 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 377 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 119 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 23 live cartridges, 2 hand grenades, 2 G3 magazines, 10 motorcycles and 6 mobile phones mongst others.
“On 3 July 2024, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces conducted night ambush on BH/ISWAP terrorists and made contact in Gwoza LGA of Borno State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, one single barrel gun, 102 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 231 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 23 cartridges, 3 magazines, 2 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 2 and 4 July 2024, troops in separate operations discovered and detonated IEDs as well as recovered Unexploded Ordinance in Ngala and MMC LGAs of Borno State.
On 2 and 5 July 2024, following reports, troops in separate fighting patrols made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gamboru Ngala and Bama LGAs of Borno State.
Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 22 terrorists and recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated guns, 199 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm on metal link, 119 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 6 magazines and 2 x 36 hand grenades amongst others.
“Between 2 and 11 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza, Nganzai, Konduga, Bama, MMC and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State as well as Damaturu LGA of Yobe State respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 40 terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 25 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 2 FN rifles, 4 pump action guns, 699 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 150 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 178 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 20 AK47 magazines, 4 magazines carriers, 6 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 3 and 9 Jul 24, a total of 832 terrorist comprising 88 adult males 256 adult females and 488 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 11 insurgents, arrested 29 violent extremists and rescued 20 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated pistols, 102 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 motorcycles amongst others.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 1,l25,440 litres of stolen crude oil, 213,539 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,230 litres of PMS.
“Troops apprehended 43 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists as well as recovered 44 assorted ammo.
“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 18 dugout pits, 30 boats and 49 storage tanks, 4 drums, 5 speedboats, 15 vehicles, 2 tricycles, one generator, and 11 mobile phones
“On 8 July 2024, following report, troops intercepted and arrested 3 suspected violent extremists/militants collaborators in Ovia South West LGA of Edo State.
“On 6 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 7 suspected violent extremists including notorious kingpin identified as Israel Peter (aka Namonso) in Ikono, Ika and Abak LGAs of Akwa Ibom State.
“During the operations, troops recovered 4 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 4 mobile phones.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 8 violent extremists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, one locally fabricated pistol, one locally made double barrel gun, 191 rounds of 5.55m ammo, 4 walkie talkie radios, 2 mobile phones, 2 primed IEDs and materials amongst other.
“On 2 July 2024, troops while on fighting patrol raided suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members hideouts in Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
“During the operations, troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, 2 primed IEDs and IED making materials, 191 rounds of 5.55mm ammo, 29 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 cartridges, 4 Walkie Talkie radios and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 4 July 2024, troops while on offensive operation intercepted and arrested one violent extremist in Isisioma LGA of Abia State. During the operations, troops recovered one locally made double barrel gun.
“On 6 July 2024, troops while on fighting patrol intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/cultists in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. During the operations, troops recovered one pump action gun and one fabricated barretta pistol.
“Troops of Operation Awatse in the South West neutralized 3 terrorists and arrested 10 violent extremists.
“Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 8 magazines, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycl, 4 mobile phones and a pair of woodland camouflage.
“On 1 and 2 July 2024, following reports troops in separate operations arrested 10 cultists and vandals in Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos State.
“On 4 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops intercepted and arrested 4 violent kidnappers members in Akinyele LGA of Oyo State.
“A syndicate led by a notorious leader known as Bello (aka Chikidawoje). Troops also recovered 51 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle, 4 mobile phones and a pair of woodland camouflage uniforms amongst others.
“On 3 July 2024, troops in conjunction with NP personnel conducted offensive operations to a suspected kidnappers’ hideout and made contact in Ikenne LGA of Ogun State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 extremists, kidnappers and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 8 magazines, 109 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action
Furthermore, Major Gen Buba said, “Troops are confronted by a vicious enemy that are constantly trying to kill citizens or have citizens killed.
“In this fight, citizens must understand that, we must never compromise on security, otherwise everyone’s security will be compromised. This is a situation that cannot be over emphasized for us to live in safety and security.
“The military is doing what is needed at this time. We force the terrorist to pay a price for every act of aggression against citizens of this country. We recognise and have included this as part of our strategy to win the war.
“Overall, we have no choice but to fight for the safety and security of our citizens. We also fight to safeguard our nation and preserve our way of life as a people.
“For us a force, Defence is the essence of what we do as an armed forces. Accordingly, we would defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and help our nation flourish again.”