The Defence Headquarters has assured that the military will relentlessly pursue groups contributing to insecurity and instability in the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba in a statement in Abuja said the military will continue the momentum of its operations by mounting pressure on groups seeking to undermine the security of citizens and the nation.
Giving update on the operations across the country as at 25 August 2023, Buba revealed that the military neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 109 criminals, 5 kidnappers, one informant, 22 suspected oil thefts and rescued 41 kidnapped hostages.
Major General Buba said 231 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops comprising 25 adult males, 63 adult females and 143 children surrendered.
According to him, troops recovered a total number of 41 weapons and 300 assorted kinds of ammunition.
Breakdown of arms and ammunition is as follows; 14 AK47 rifle, one AK49 rifle, 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammo, one PKT gun, one LMG, 2 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 3 locally fabricated rifle, 2 dane guns, one pistol, and 2 locally made long barrel guns.
Troops also recovered: one AK47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 AK47 magazines, one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 239 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62 NATO, 44 rounds of PKT, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo and 6 cartridges.
The DMO also hinted that roops recovered 13 motorcycle, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machete, a pair of camouflage. While, the operations in South South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following; 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, 23,250 litres of DPK. All amounting to an estimated sum of N414,396.250 denied to the oil thieves.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 4 AK47 rifles, one dane gun, 1 locally made gun, one English-made pistol, one AK47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 37 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 AK47 magazines loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one boafeng radio, one motorcycle, 2 mobile phones, one bicycle and a sum of N38,100.00.
“Troops neutralized 22 terrorists, arrested 10 terrorists and rescued 13 hostages. Within the week in focus, 231 combatant fighters with families comprising of 25 adult males, 63 adult females and 143 children surrendered to troops. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the adult female is Mary Nkeki, a missing Chibok Schl girl in Ser No 55 Chibok Girls poster”he said.
The DMO note that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recovered one locally fabricated pistol loaded with 2 cartridges, one locally made pistol and 2 cartridges.
On Operation HADARIN DAJI, he said troops continued the onslaught against terrorists as they neutralized terrorist and recovered arms and ammunition at Danmusa and Batsari LGAs of Katsina State. Troops also rescued kidnapped hostages in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
He disclosed that troops while conducting fighting patrols neutralized terrorists and rescued kidnapped hostages as well as recovered livestock in Giwa, Garki and Goronyo LGAs of Kaduna, Jigawa and Sokoto State respectively.
Also in the course of operations, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 228,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 46,300 litres of illegally refined AGO, 23,250 litres of DPK and arrested 22 oil theft perpetrators and also neutralized 2 criminals and recovered one PKT rifle, one LMG, 2 locally made long barrel guns, one pump action guns, 44 rounds of PKT, 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one machete, 2 mobile phones, 6 ATM cards and a pair of camouflage.
The troops destroyed 21 dugout pits, 14 boats, 56 storage tanks, 6 vehicles, 50 cooking ovens, 5 MCs, 3 pumping machine and 15 illegal refining sites
Speaking on the troops of Operation UDO KA the Director said they conducted raid operations and arrested suspected criminals in Umuahia and Bende LGA of Abia State. Troops offensive fighting patrols led to rescue of kidnapped hostages and arrest of notorious criminals in Umunneochi, Oguta and Orumba of Anambra and Imo States respectively.
He however gave the assurance that troops will through its operations continue to make improvements towards ensuring safety of citizens and restoring security across the country.
Also he noted that counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations being conducted by troops continues to produce results, despite the recording deaths of the men and women of the armed forces who are fighting gallantly for the country every day.
