The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations has continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorists across Nigeria with the elimination of 187 and the arrest of 262 including notorious terrorist leaders in the North West and South East regions of the country
Director of Defence Media Operaions (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba, said in a press statement on Saturday on the update on military operations in the last one week across the six geopolitical zone of the country that 39 perpetrators of oil theft were arrested and 147 kidnapped hostages rescued.
In North West, General Buba said, troops arrested a notorious terrorist leader known as Abubakar Bawa Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo in Rumji Village in Illela Local Government Area (LGA) of Sokoto State.
“He (Habu Dogo) is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities,” he said.
Similarly, troops in the South East, the Defence Operations Spokesperson said, arrested seven Indigenous People of Biafra-Eastern Security Network (IPOB /ESN) terrorists commanders and operatives. The IPOB/ESN terror operatives arrested include Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) arrested in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. Others are Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Onyekachi Ohia arrested in Umuahia South LGA of Abia States.
Additional IPOB operatives arrested include Mr Ifeanyi Eze , Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. While, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu LGA of Imo State.
General Buba also revealed that troops denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of One Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Four Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty Naira (N1,254,946,630.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 205 assorted weapons and 5,241 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 2 G3 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 89 AK47 rifles, 22 fabricated rifles, 22 dane guns, 2 FN rifle, 2 pistols, 2 fabricated revolver pistols, 27 locally made pistols, 19 pump action guns, 2 pump action shortgun, one DICON pistol, 8 double barrel guns, one barreta pistol and 32 magazines.
“Others are: 1,862 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 131 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 959 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 352 rounds of 9mm ammo, 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 662 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 6 vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 55 mobile phones amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 49 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 72 boats, 21 drums, 30 storage tanks and 98 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 pumping machines, one outboard engine, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 3 vehicles. Troops recovered 1,090,135 litres of stolen crude oil and 873,510 litres of illegally refined AGO,” he added.
He also revealed that a total of 19 terrorists comprised of three adult males, six adult females and 10 children surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI within the theatre of operations.
“Troops continue to prevail over the terrorists and are winning the war. The terrorist are left with no choice but to surrender or be killed on the battlefield,” General Buba noted.