Nigerian troops have eliminated a total of 52 terrorists and rescued 61 kidnapped victims, Defence Headquarters have said.
The troops also arrested 53 criminals, and seven suspected oil thieves, amongst others.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, also said while giving update on ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as at September 22, 2023 that a total of seven terrorists, comprising of five men and one woman surrendered to troops on the front-line.
According to General Buba: “The mission of the military against terrorists and other violent extremist groups in the country remains unchanged. The armed forces will continue with aggressive operations to force these groups to submission.
“Accordingly, troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East were engaged in ambushes, raids, rescue operations, fighting patrols, attacks as well as cordon and search activities. These operations resulted in neutralised terrorist, rescued hostages, surrender of terrorist combatants as well as recovery of arms and ammunition.
“The operational activities of troops of Joint Task Force Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North Central ranged from rescue of kidnap victims within Tsafe local council of Zamfara to artillery missions on terrorist massing up in the forest.
“Others include the arrest of terrorist collaborators and the conduct of offensive activities to disrupt terrorist freedom of action.”
“The operational activities of troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN during the period range from conduct of raids and arrest of terrorists at Afana village in Zangon Kataf of local council of Kaduna State. Troops also arrested cattle rustlers in Dogo Nahawa Bush Jos South, Bokkos and Mangu councils of Plateau State. Troops recovered weapons at Kulben village in Mangu local council of Plateau State.
“During the period under review, troops of Operation WIRL STROKE conducted 22 operations; 13 fighting patrols, 6 confidence building patrols and one raid operation in Mbaayande, Mbamazu and Mbaagudu villages of Konshiga council of Benue State. Similarly, fighting patrol was conducted in Logo council while some arrests were made around Okpokwu council of Benue State.
“Troops of Joint Task Force Operations UDOKA and Operation SEARCH AND FLUSH in the South East region sustained momentum in the fight against insecurity the region. Troops responded to distress calls, responded to foil kidnappers’ activities in Okigwe local council of Imo State, conducted fighting patrol to Isu Onichain Onicha local council of Ebonyi State and apprehended five suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ikwo and Ihiala local councils of Ebonyi and Anambra States respectively.
“Troops of Operation UDO KA also conducted raid operations on IPOB/ESN camps in Ohafia local councils of Abia State. The operation led to the recovery of one improvised 16 MBRL gun mounted on a vehicle with other arms and ammunition. Sadly, a joint patrol team of operation SEARCH AND FLUSH (SAR) suffered a setback when responding to a distress call in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.
“They were ambushed by members of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliated Eastern Security Network (ESN). Meanwhile, troops operations led to rescue of kidnapped hostages and others.
“Overall, as at September 22, 2023, the armed forces neutralised 52 terrorists and arrested the following: 53 criminals, 7 suspected oil thefts while rescuing 61 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, a total of 7 terrorists comprising of 5 adult males, 1 adult female surrendered to troops.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE denied oil theft of an estimated sum of N946,387,570.00 being value of seizures. The operations in South-South resulted in the recovery of the following; 496,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 83,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,200 litres of PMS, 4 pumping machines, 5 Speed Boats, 34 dugout pits, 57 storage tanks, 16 wooden boats, 85 ovens and 3 outboard engines.
“Troops recovered a total number of 77 weapons and 658 assorted kinds of ammunition. The breakdown as follows; 53 AK47 rifle, 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 18 locally fabricated rifles, 1 beretta pistol, 3 pump action guns, 650 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 50 AK47 magazines, 2 rounds of 9mm ammo, 6 rounds of 7.62 NATO, 5 fragmentation jackets.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 15 vehicles, 12 motorcycles, 12 Bicycles, 5 mobile phones, 12 cutlasses, 2 generator sets, 2 gas Cylinders, 133 livestocks and a sum of N602,000 and Airtel airtime worth N8,000.
“The military will, through its operations continue to make improvements towards ensuring safety of citizens and restoring security across the country. Citizens are encouraged to “know something, say something and let the military do something about it.”
