The Defence Headquarters has said that the warning by the Nigerian Army to deal decisively with all subversive elements and trouble makers is not targeted at the EndSARS protesters.
The Nigerian Army had in a statement on Wednesday signed by Sagir Musa, Director, Army Public Relations said it will fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to deal decisively with subversive elements and agents of disunity.
John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO) explained that the subversive elements referred to are those trying to subvert the cause of either the protesters or the government of the society.
“You are aware the demands of the protesters have been met. Subversive elements are not the same as protesters, they are people that want to derail from the cause of the protest. I will want to state that these are the subversive elements that the army is referring to”, Enenche said on Thursday in Abuja.
The Coordinator, while giving an update on the activities of the military from 8- 14 october, said the country is now witnessing a downward trend in the activities of bandits in the Noryh West Zone.
” Notably, on 12 October 2020, troops of Operation Accord acting on credible intelligence arrested 9 suspected bandits/collaborators at Dan Ali village in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Suspects are currently in custody for necessary action.
“Similarly, in a covert operation based on credible intelligence, 4 suspected bandits including a suspected bandits leader named Mujitafa Shehu were arrested at Kankara Town and Tudu village of Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State”, the coordinator said.
Enenche further said the troops of Operation Sahel Sanity rescued 23 kidnapped victims from fleeing bandits who abandoned the captives as the unrelenting troops were closing in on their hideout along Zauni-Jengebe road in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued wre rescued by troops of Operation Thunder Strike in kaduna forest.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were kidnapped while on transit to Magami market from Gusau in a passenger bus. All the rescued victims have been reunited with their families”, he said.
In the North-Central, Eneche said 3 suspected gunrunners whp possessed about 60 AK-47 rifles were arrested in Niger state and currently being investigated.
The coordinator said the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to sustain the tempo through aggressive clearance patrols, ambushes and raids which have yielded remarkable successes.
In the South South region, Eneche said troops of Operation Delta Safe intercepted and immobilized 2 large wooden boats laden with polythene bags cumulatively containing about 20,000 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at Jeddo in Delta State.
He said the team also destroyed 4 drums and 75 polythene bags containing illegally refined AGO by the riverbank at Jeddo.
“Further exploitation of the general area led to the destruction of 600 drums and recovery of 2 pumping machines hidden in several wooden stores at Jeddo.
“Additionally, the operation led to the arrest of 2 suspected vandals around Shagbolor in Warri South Local Government Area. The suspects and recovered items were taken into custody for further action”, he said.
