The Defence Headquarters , has unveiled the impressive outcomes of recent troop operations conducted over the past week. These operations have resulted in significant achievements, including the neutralization of 73 terrorists and the apprehension of 182 individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist activities. Additionally, 14 individuals engaged in oil theft were arrested, and a total of 68 kidnap victims were successfully rescued.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations delivered this update during a media briefing on the operations of the armed forces across the country.
In the South-South region, troops managed to thwart an oil theft operation valued at an estimated N1,212,046,140.00. This successful intervention prevented the illegal siphoning of valuable oil resources.
The military’s efforts also led to the recovery of 119 various weapons and 1,537 assorted ammunition, which included one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), three PKT guns, 39 AK47 rifles, five locally fabricated rifles, one locally made double barrel gun, one Beretta pistol, four locally made pistols, five RPG bombs, five pump-action guns, one short gun, one hand grenade, two dane guns, one AK47 rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and one locally made pistol loaded with live cartridges.
He emphasized that one of the paramount missions of the armed forces is to safeguard the nation and protect its citizens from the threats posed by terrorists and extremists throughout the country. The military is unwavering in its commitment to fulfilling this mandate, actively leading the way in the ongoing efforts against insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
These operations have proven effective in eliminating or capturing numerous terrorist and extremist leaders, as well as their collaborators, key associates, and many of their foot soldiers.
Recent surgical operations have caused considerable disruption among these nefarious elements due to their precision and effectiveness. This has left terrorists and extremists bewildered, with limited places to hide. The message is clear – it’s only a matter of time before their activities are completely thwarted.
Moreover, the military, in collaboration with foreign partners, carried out a surgical operation targeting the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger State. While details of the operation remain confidential due to its ongoing nature, the operation yielded multiple arrests and valuable discoveries. The key takeaway is that these operations are part of a broader strategy to eradicate terrorism. Major General Edward Buba emphasized the importance of choosing to stand with Nigerians and the armed forces in the battle against terrorism and extremism.
The comprehensive list of recovered items further underscores the military’s achievements, which includes a substantial amount of ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, communication equipment, and a significant sum of money. Furthermore, troops operating in the Niger Delta region discovered and dismantled 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, four outboard engines, and 63 illegal refining sites. These operations resulted in the recovery of 962,500 liters of stolen crude oil, 35,420 liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 38,450 liters of Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 45,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Major General Edward Buba concluded by highlighting that these ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have effectively hindered the malevolent intentions of these groups, preventing them from carrying out small-scale attacks intended to spread panic in local communities. The military remains resolute in its mission to safeguard the nation and its citizens from these threats.