The Nigerian army in its operation in the first week of June to rid the nation of criminals has recorded an arrest of 202 terrorist bandits and stopped oil theft worth N718.1 million.
These troops rescued 209 kidnapped victims and arrested 30 perpetrators of oil theft while crude oil criminals were denied the oil theft estimated at N718.1million (Seven hundred and eighteen million, one hundred and seventy one thousand naira).
Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations, made this known on Friday noting, “In the last one week, the military have been striking the terrorists enclaves with air attacks while the ground forces have exerted significant military power on areas in which the terrorists are hibernating.
Read also: Nigerian Army kills 140, arrests 57 Boko Haram terrorists in Borno
Giving details of the engagements, Gen Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 80 terrorists, arrested 56 suspects and rescued 60 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops recovered 2 G3 rifles, 61 AK47 rifles, 6 fabricated rifles, 21 Dane guns, 2 double barrel guns, one RPG bomb, tube, 4 grenades, one damaged PKT, 77 magazines, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 375 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 888 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm ammo, 32 live cartridges, 4 bandoliers, 4 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 3 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N271,700.00 among others.
“Troops conducted meeting engagement with terrorists in Bama, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Konduga, Kaga, MMC, Kukawa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam, Yunusari and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.
“Between 28 and 31 May 2024, air component of Operation Hadin Kai in multiple passes conducted air interdictions at different BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists locations in Kaforam, Doron Kirta and Garin Maloma around Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
“Following confirmatory ISR on terrorists, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structures and logistics destroyed.”
“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 16 insurgents, arrested 72 violent extremists and rescued 29 kidnapped hostages.
Read also: Troops foil oil theft worth N91bn, destroy 3,051 dugout pits
“Troops conducted offensive operations and counter/anti kidnapping operations as well as foiled attack on locals in Qua’an Pan, Riyom, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa, Jos North and South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a, Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State
“Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 5 fabricated rifles, one dane gun, 3 pump action guns, one fabricated SMG, one locally fabricated pistol, one pistol, 15 magazines, 539 rounds of 7.62mm special, 67 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 26 rounds of 9mm ammo, 62 live cartridges, 2 motorcycles and 4 mobile phones amongst others.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 13 violent extremists and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 3 AK49 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, 146 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 9 live cartridges, 4 bandoliers, one magazine and one laptop amongst others.
“On 28 May 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations raided a violent extremists hideout in Wukari and Ukum LGAs of Taraba and Benue States respectively.
Read also: 624 terrorists destroyed, 1,051 arrested in May, says DHQ
“During the operations, troops made no contact with extremists. Troops further exploited the general area and recovered 3 AK49 rifles, one fabricated pistol, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 4 baofeng radios, one laptop amongst other items.
“Sequel to earlier kidnap of a military officer, a Warrant Officer and 9 others, troops conducted search and rescue operations in Gwer West and Ogbadibo LGAs of Benue State. During the operations, troops rescued the personnel together with 4 other kidnapped hostages.
“On 31 May and 2 June 2024, troops in separate offensive operations intercepted and arrested 2 suspected violent extremists in Wukari and Gwer West LGAs of Taraba and Benue States respectively. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, 34 rounds of 7.62mm special, 9 cartridges and 2 motorcycles.
“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 54 terrorists, arrested 131 terrorists and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 40 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, 2 fabricated rifles, 4 dane guns, 2 single barrel guns, 346 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 134 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 12 magazines, 30 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 29 May and 4 June 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Isa and Wamako LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Giwa and Zurmi LGAs of Kaduna and Zamfara States.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 20 terrorists, arrested 35 suspects and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 14 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, 4 dane guns, 2 single barrel guns, 115 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 102 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 8 magazines, 10 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 30 May 2024, troops in counter/anti-kidnapping operation responded to distress call on kidnapping incident in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State. During the operations, troops rescued 17 kidnapped hostages.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 extremists and arrested one. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 4 magazines, 129 rounds of 7.62 units 39mm special ammo, 45 cartridges, one motorcycle and 3 mobile phones among others.
“On 1 and 3 June 2024, following reports troops in separate raid operations raided violent extremistst/IPOB/ESN members hideouts in Oguta and Obingwa LGAs of Imo and Abia States respectively.
“During the operations, troops recovered 2 pump action guns, 3 dane guns, 28 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm ammo and 21 expended cartridges amongst others.
‘On 31 May and 2 June 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations made contact with violent extremistst/IPOB/ESN members in Ohafia and Orsu LGAs of Abia and Imo States respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 extremists and arrested one suspect.”
Gen Buba further said, “The armed forces remain steadfast in executing its role to restore the safety and security of the citizens of this country. Troops are in a good place in winning the war
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