Operations Hadin Kai, Hadarin Daji, Whirl Stroke, Safe Haven, Delta Safe, Udo Ka and Awatse all recorded successes in the last two weeks.
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that troops of Operations Hadin-Kai, SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROK Hadarin Daji have neutralized 42 terrorists, arrested 6 logistic suppliers and rescued 119 abducted civilians within the last two weeks of their operational activities.
Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major Genal Musa Danmadami who disclosed this during the bi-weekly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said the operations was conducted in villages, forest, mountains, towns and cities in the North East, North West and North central.
“Within the weeks in focus, troops in the North East zone recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 1 x 60mm mortar bomb, 10 dane guns, 12 dummy rifles, 1 pump action gun, 1 PKT gun, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special, 118 rounds of 7.62 x 50mm NATO, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm NATO ammo, 1 round of 12.7mm NATO, 17 AK47 magazines, 1 firing pin, 1 mechanic tools box, 2 knives, 6 motorcycles, 24 mobile phones, 41 live stocks, assorted food items, 1 vehicle, 4 sim and other sundry items as well as the cash sum of N2,234,820.00 only. Troops neutralized 13 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, arrested 6 logistics suppliers and rescued 119 abducted civilians, while a total of 1,506 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females and 838 children surrendered to own troops at different location within the theatre of operation”.
“Equally, between 16 – 22 March 2023, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted fighting patrols to criminal hideout in villages in Guma and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State and made contact with terrorists. Following an encounter, troops neutralized 8 terrorists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 2 dane guns, 44 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 AK47 magazines, 1 cartridge, 18 cutlasses, 3 ID cards, 1 mobile phone, and bunch of keys. Troops also rescued 5 kidnapped civilians and arrested 7 criminals. In another development, troops conducted fighting patrol to Independence National Electoral Commission office in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of Kwara State on 18 March 2023 and intercepted some armed thugs. Troops search the area where the thugs were seen and recovered 2 pump action guns, 4 locally made dane guns, 2 machetes, 4 mobile phones and 1 vehicle as well as arrested 6 thugs”. Maj General Danmadami Said….
“Troops of Operations HADARIN DAJI and other operations in the North West zone have continue to sustained their dominance over the menace of terrorist and other criminal activities. Precisely, on 10 March 2023, troops intercepted and arrested 11 suspected terrorists at Dukku town in Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State. Troops searched the general area and recovered 7 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated cartridges and 10 mobile phones. Also, between 11 – 13 March 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to bandits camps at villages within Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State as well as villages within Wasagu/Danko, and Zuru Local Government Areas of Kebbi State and made contact with terrorists. Following the various encounters, troops neutralized 2 bandits while others fled with gun shot injuries. Troops exploited the various camps and recovered 139 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm links of PKM ammunition, 8 motorcycles, 175 cows, 113 sheep and 2 mobile phones, while 12 kidnapped victims were also rescued”
In the south-south zone Major General Danmadami said troops discovered and destroyed illegal refining sites, storage tanks, reservoirs, ovens, dugout pits and wooden boats.
“On 19 March 2023, troops responded to election disruption within Ogbakiri community in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State and made contact with armed thugs and arrested 12 armed thugs. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 1 FN rifle, 4 AK47 magazines, 1 pistol loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1 pump action gun, 4 cartridges, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special and 1 hilux vehicle. Additionally, troops of Operation of DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO within the weeks in focus discovered and destroyed 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits and 22 wooden boats. Troops equally recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 1 fibre boat, 5 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 10 new geepee tanks, 1 tricycle and 6 vehicles while a total of 9 suspected criminals were apprehended. All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over the appropriate authority for further action. It is worth mentoring that the sum of Two Hundred and Seventy Seven Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N277,357,800.00) only was denied oil thieves”.
According to the Defence operations spokesperson, Successes were also recorded in operations UDO KA in the south East Zone and Operations Awatse in the South-west.
The Military authorities equally appreciated troops for their efforts in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“I wish to once again convey the military high command commendations on the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country. The media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in our quest to restore peace and security to our dear Country. Also, the entire populace is hereby appreciated, for the support given to the members Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations across the country, while also urging them to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.”
Well done troops