The Defence Headquarters says that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is engaged in several operations across the 6 geopolitical zones of the country to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.
The Director, Defence Media Operations(DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made this known in Abuja, stated that as at 28 July, the military had neutralized 59 terrorists, arrested a total number of 88 criminals, 10 kidnappers, 20 gunmen and 19 suspected oil thefts. Troops have also rescued 88 kidnapped hostages.
Major General Buba added that in the course of operations across the country, troops further recovered a total number of 68 weapons and 1,364 ammunition. Troops recovered 26 AK47 rifle, 1 GPMG, 1 AKMS rifle, 1 FN rifle, 4 pump action, 5 pistols and 19 dane guns.
Also, recovered are 1,083 rounds 7.62mm special, 228 rounds 7.62mm NATO, 14 rounds 5.56 x 45mm, 15 fully loaded AK47 magazines, 9 rounds of 9mm ammo and sum of N41,915.00 only and CFA 49,000.
Other recoveries made by the troops according to the DMO, are 323,650 liters of stolen crude oil, 128,700 liters of illegally refined AGO and 4,000 liters of DPK, while an estimated sum of N388,441,660.00 was denied the oil thefts.
Giving detail analysis of the operations across the country, Major General Buba stayed that the troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN sustained an offensive posture against kidnappers and criminals elements within the operational area.
“Troops raided criminal hideout at Logo, Takum, Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue and Taraba States respectively. Troops made contact with the criminal elements during these operations neutralizing several, rescuing hostages and recovering weapons. Troops also arrested kidnappers/criminals and recovered weapons at Lere and Sanga Local Government Areas of Kaduna State”, he said.
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH on their part, during operation, neutralized 13 terrorists and recovered one GPMG, 3 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, one FN rifle, one fabricated rifle, 2 dane guns, 2 locally made pistols, 8 dane gun, 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 22 rounds of 7.62mm empty cases.
“Others include:12 motorcycles, 2 tricycles, 6 mobile phones, 4 cutlasses, one boafeng radio, one solar radio charger, one dagger and 12 arrows. Troops also arrested 3 terrorist collaborators and rescued 75 kidnapped civilians”.
According to the DMO Spokesperson, Troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East, raided camps/hideouts of suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network gunmen at Oroma, Umuemu and Umuewelum villages in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
During these operations, troops neutralized some of the gunmen and recovered weapons. Several kidnapped hostages were rescued in the process
In the conduct of operations.
Among other things recovered in the course of Operation UDO KA are: 3 AK47 rifle, one AKMS rifle, 4 pump action gun, 2 dane gun, one locally made pistol, 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 86 live cartridges and one locally made hand grenade.
The joint task force operation AWATSE in the South West intercepted 2 different trucks loaded with substances believed to be cannabis along Road Ajilete in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
In the course of operation, troops recovered 5,407 wraps of substances believed to be cannabis, 4 vehicles, 10 mobile phones, 14 cylinders, 2 ATM cards, a BENIN Republic National ID card, one International Certificate for vehicle (Ghana), one driver’s license and a set of vehicle number plate.
Also the sum of N34,650.00 and 49,000 CFA were recovered. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued abducted civilians, according to the DMO
have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
