The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Friday reviewed its activities for the third quarter (1 July to 30 September 2020), saying that its ground and air forces killed a total of 869 “criminal elements” of Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and bandits, while rescuing 321 kidnapped victims across the country.
The Armed Forces also said that cumulatively, 9,040,300 litres of stolen AGO and Thirty Three Thousand Five Hundred (33, 500.00) litres of DPK were recovered especially in the Niger Delta region.
Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, told journalists in Abuja that a total of 1,708 arrests were made while large cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.
In addition, General Enenche noted that 37,117 barrels of stolen crude oil was recovered while 914,707 litres of stolen PMS was recovered.
The Defence Spokesperson said that the feats were recorded as troops engaged in series of land, maritime and air operations, involving both kinetic and non-kinetic activities across the country in major and subsidiary operations.
The land operations, conducted among others across the various theatres of operation against Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the Northeast and bandits in Northwest and Northcentral regions of the country, involved clearance, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments and aggressive patrols.
Others were maritime operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-crude oil theft and anti-pipeline vandalism operations as well as other duties such as anti-smuggling operations.
Enenche added that the military conducted “comprehensive air operations including air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support and air cover for ground troops. These operations resulted in the deletion of several terrorists and bandits, inhibition of activities of economic saboteurs as well as exposures and obviation of other criminal activities.
“In all these efforts, some of our troops paid the supreme prize. However, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the various operations.
General Enenche stated that “from our operations within the third quarter of this year, it is obvious that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is winning the war against the enemies of our great country. Consequently, the Armed Forces of Nigeria will remain resolute and highly committed to this cause. It will sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone of Nigeria.
“The third quarter performance of operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies is a show of our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our great Nation. The gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and operatives of other security agencies will sustain the tempo against the enemies of our dear Nation.
“The Military High Command commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment. Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the country. The general public is thus encouraged to continue to support the gallant troops by providing credible intelligence to the troops operating within their localities.”