The Nigerian military Authority has highlighted successes recorded in its ongoing counter-insurgency operations across Nigeria,in the Third Quarter quarterly (July-September )2024.
While briefing Journalists at the bi-weekly media briefing held at Defence Headquarters Abuja Thursday 26th September,2024,Director of Defence Media,Major General Edward Buba, said the military neutralized 1,937 terrorists and bandits, arrested 2,782 suspects, and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages.
He said “Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 191 assorted arms and 8,292 assorted ammo.
“Others are 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst other item. Accordingly , the nations daily crude oil production output is at an all time high with the nations daily target in sight”.
Buba stated that Operation HADIN KAI in the North East recorded significant successes, neutralized 792 terrorists, arrested 606 suspects, and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages.
He said Troops of OP HADIN KAI in a quest to disrupt terrorist activities in region,also recovered 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles, and 9,653 rounds of ammunition.
In the North Central, Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 122 violent extremists, arrested 513 suspects, and rescued 305 kidnapped hostages.
The operation also led to the recovery of 48 AK47 rifles, 41 fabricated guns, and 9,457 rounds of ammunition.
Similarly, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North Central mitigated security challenges, neutralized 109 terrorists, arresting 203 suspects, and rescued 210 kidnapped hostages.
Troops recovered 27 AK47 rifles, 10 assorted arms, and 2,660 rounds of ammunition.
Buba said Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West also recorded significant gains, neutralizing 598 terrorists, arresting 325 suspects, and rescuing 523 kidnapped hostages. The operation resulted in the recovery of 162 AK47 rifles, 72 fabricated guns, and 4,984 rounds of ammunition.
General Buba assured that armed forces prioritised the killing of terrorist leadership and destruction of terrorist network in its ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the country.
“Accordingly, troops are effectively attacking the terrorist leaders, commanders, combatants, as well as their rank and file operatives.
“On the whole, troops are keeping the pressure on the terrorist until they are totally defeated. The military is focussed on dismantling the terror infrastructure of these terror groups as well as destroying their will to fight.
“Accordingly, we are attacking any threat we identify, and removing it. The war objective is to destroy these groups, decapitate them, and erode their ability to rage terror attacks against citizens”He added .
