The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has highlighted the recorded success of the Nigerian troops in the last two weeks in the fight against insecurity, vandalism and terrorism.
Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday at a briefing said that about 863 terrorists surrendered to Nigerian Military while troops arrested several suspects and rescued many kidnapped victims.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in Abuja while updating defence correspondents on the successes of the troops in the six geo-political zones.
Accordingly to him, “a total of 863 terrorists and their families comprising 136 adult males, 251 adult females and 476 children surrendered to the troops deployed at different locations, including; Banki, Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza and Gamboru towns in Borno State, within the period, the surrendered terrorists have been properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.”
He added that during the period, the troops also discovered and immobilized a total number of 39 illegal refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits and 96 storage tanks.
He said in addition, “a total of 637,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.”
Accordingly to him, “in addition, 10 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.
“Troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of the different calibre of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanized pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations.”
He stated the Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained their operations in the North-West Zone of the country progressively.
“some of the operations were conducted at different locations in towns, villages and forests under Konduga, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Bayo, Kukawa, Monguno, Nganzai and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno State as well as locations in the Sambisa forest.”He said.
He said that the gallant troops also recorded significant results at various locations in Adamawa and Yobe States, around the Mandara Mountain and along Damaturu – Potuskum road, respectively.
According to him, “notably, ground troops with the support of the Air Component aggressively foiled terrorists’ attempted infiltration into Biu town in Borno State, during the encounter, troops neutralized scores of the terrorists and captured their gun trucks and other weapons.”
He further revealed that “within January this year the gallant troops eliminated and arrested several terrorists, recovery of assorted arms, ammunition, livestock and other items of security concern as well as rescue abducted civilians.
“Our own troops neutralized a total of 37 terrorist elements, arrested 17 of them as well as recovered 21 assorted arms and 117 rounds of different calibres of ammunition, while a total of 4 gun trucks were captured from the terrorists.”
“this feat was achieved on the 14 January 2022, when on the heels of credible intelligence, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatched to attack the identified location which the terrorists used as a venue for biweekly meetings. Consequently, the NAF platforms took out the terrorists in successful turns of airstrikes.”
Speaking on the activities of the troops in Operation Hadarin Daji, Gen. Onyeuko revealed that some of the locations in which troops’ operational efforts yielded significant results are; Gurbin Baure – Shimfada road, Gidan Saleh and Girnashe villages as well as Jibia town in Jibia Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
“Other locations were; Wasagu town in Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State and Kara Kalmalo village in Ilella LGA of Sokoto State. Consequently, these operations resulted in the neutralization of 12 armed bandits and the arrest of 15 including their collaborators.
“Also, a total of 16 assorted arms and 136 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 114 rustled livestock were recovered by own troops within the period. In addition, troops recovered 3 extra magazines of AK-47 rifle and 4 motorcycles from bandits, while a total of 3 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.”
“in a related development Within the last two weeks, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN carried out several operational activities at different locations of the theatre that yielded significant results.
“Some of the operations were executed at Shendam in Shendam Local Government Area, Rukuba road and Apata area in Jos North Local Government Area; Tyana community in Riyom LGA, Vom town in Jos South LGA, Tudu village in Bokkos LGA, Gassa Sho Hills in Barkin Ladi LGA and Kampani village in Wase LGA, all in Plateau State. Other locations are; Afana Bujja Forest and Gidan Waya village in Jama’a LGA as well as Kaffin village and Kiffin Chawai Chiefdom in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State.
“In the course of the operations, troops arrested some criminal elements including armed robbers and bandits, their collaborators, drug peddlers and fraudsters as well as rescued kidnapped civilians and recovered several items of security concern.
“Thus, within the period, own troops arrested 27 criminal elements and rescued 6 kidnapped civilians. Also, troops recovered 5 arms and 69 different calibres of ammunition among other items of security concern in the course of their operations.
“The operational efforts of troops in Operation WHIRL STROKE within the last 2 weeks resulted in the neutralization and arrest of armed bandits and other criminal elements, recovery of arms and ammunition as well as the rescue of kidnapped civilians.
“Some of the operations were conducted at; Mblash village in Katsina-Ala LGA, Igumale forest in Ado LGA, Abande village in Kwande LGA and Apia village in Gwer West LGA of Benue State. Other locations were; Gongola Clinic area; Tor-Damisah and Abako villages as well as Wukari – Takum road, all in Wukari LGA of Taraba State.
“Consequently, a total of 5 criminals were arrested, while 9 different arms including AK-47 rifles and some locally-made guns as well as 742 rounds of different calibres of ammunition were recovered. Additionally, troops rescued 2 kidnapped civilians and recovered 2 motorcycles, while large quantities of cannabis sativa were impounded in the course of the operations within the same period.
“Peace and security meetings were held with community and youth leaders and other critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity. Some of these meetings were held at; Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia and Office of the District Head of Lau Lau LGA of Taraba State.
“Operation DELTA SAFE has continued to sustain its operational tempo in the fight against illegal oil production and other sundry crimes through kinetic and non-kinetic means in the South-South Zone.
“Troops’ land, maritime and air operations within the past 2 weeks yielded appreciable results and forestalled activities of vandals as well as other economic saboteurs in the oil-rich Niger Delta Region. Some of these operations were executed at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Emohua, Ikwere, Port Harcourt and Ahoada LGAs of Rivers State.
“Other locations are villages, towns and creeks in; Warri South, Warri South-West and Warri North LocGAs of Delta State as well as in Ekeremor, Brass and Southern Ijaw LGAs of Bayelsa State. Also, operations were conducted at Opobo creek and some communities in Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom State as well as Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, which yielded significant results within the period under review.
“Consequently, in the last two weeks, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 39 illegal refining sites, 91 cooking ovens, 24 reservoirs, 17 large dugout pits and 96 storage tanks.”
He disclosed that consequently, a total of 637,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil; 950,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.
“In addition, 10 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period. Also, troops recovered 3 assorted arms, 48 rounds of different calibre of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifle magazines as well as 17 pieces of galvanized pipes and 23 wooden boats among other items used for illegal oil bunkering activities in the course of the operations.”
The DDMO disclosed that the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action.
He stated that the Military High Command appreciated the troops for their sacrifices in the various theatres of operation and commended their courage and resilience in combating the security challenges across the country.
