The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of abducted citizens in various regions across Nigeria. Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, assured the public that the military, deployed to North West and other operational theatres, would not cease their efforts until the kidnapped hostages are safely reunited with their families.
During the biweekly briefing on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, Major General Edward Buba emphasized the gravity of the situation, designating the armed bandits operating in North East, North West, and North Central states as terrorist groups rather than mere bandits.
General Buba lamented the terrorists’ use of abducted school children as human shields to thwart military operations, terming it a blatant violation of human rights and international norms. Despite the challenges posed by the terrorists’ tactics, he assured that the military was resolute in its pursuit to rescue the hostages.
The Director disclosed that within the reviewed period, troops had eliminated 213 terrorists and apprehended 216 others. Additionally, they uncovered and dismantled 45 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region, arresting 67 perpetrators of oil theft and rescuing 26 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, the military prevented oil thieves from pocketing an estimated sum of One Billion Five Hundred and Fifty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand, Eighty Naira.
Troops also confiscated 189 assorted weapons and 4,003 assorted ammunition, while in the Niger Delta area alone, they discovered and destroyed 150 dugout pits, 30 boats, 73 storage tanks, and 209 drums. Alongside these efforts, the military recovered over a million litres of stolen crude oil and various quantities of illegally refined petroleum products.
Addressing challenges in the search and rescue operations for hostages, General Buba cited delays in reporting incidents to the military, hampering timely response efforts. Nevertheless, he assured the public of the military’s relentless pursuit of various options to secure the safe return of hostages, leveraging international support for intelligence and operational advantages.
General Buba cautioned against falling victim to propaganda and misinformation spread by terrorist groups, urging citizens to discern information circulated on social media. He debunked recent viral posts by terrorists, citing successful military operations that neutralized their leadership and debunked false narratives.
Concluding the briefing, General Buba reiterated the military’s commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist groups and the dismantling of their capabilities to threaten citizens’ safety. He affirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained steadfast in their mission to safeguard the nation’s security and interests.
