The Nigerian Armed Forces in its determination to end terrorism and insecurity across the country, said it accordingly deployed troops strategically to conduct operations across the country in order to create a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful duties and activities.
The deployed armed forces conducted synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves and hideouts. Immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scramped to conduct major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba gave this hint while briefing Journalists on the ongoing military operations by the armed forces Nigeria as at 21 December 2023,at a bi-weekly media briefing held at Defence Headquarters,Abuja on Thursday 21st December,2023.
General Buba said Troops conducted ambushes, raids , fighting patrols and other forms of offensives against the terrorist. The combination of these offensive posture resulted in over 40 neutralized terrorist and 191 arrests. Troops then recovered 72 assorted weapons and 338 assorted ammunition.
According to him ,Troops also arrested 68 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages. In the South South Nigeria,, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Four Hundred and Eight Million One Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Sixty Naira (N408,147,460.00) only.
He gave breakdown of recovered weapons and ammunition are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 6 FN rifles, 8 pump action guns, 4 locally fabricated rifle, 19 dane guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,085 rounds 7.62mm x 56mm ammo, 5.56mm x 45mm ammo, 84 rounds 12.7mm ammo and 12 live cartridges.
Others were: one PKM barrel, one locally made bomb, 2 RPG charger, one bandolier, 34 magazines, 10 vehicles, 32 mobile phones, 18 motorcycles, 23 bicycles, 6 boafeng HH radios and the sum of N895,900.00 amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 23 dugout pits, 30 boats, 99 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered include 135 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 5 pump machines, 2 motorcycles and 68 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 406,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 252,112 litres of illegally refined AGO, 3,158 litres of DPK and 10,800 litres of PMS
“Furthermore, we are carrying out attacks on the terrorist enclaves and strongholds, aimed at eliminating the leadership and foot soldiers of these terror groups. Troops will continue to go after these terrorist and apply military pressure to destroy them and their cohorts across the country.
“The goal of ongoing operations is to destroy the terrorist and their cohorts across the country. And, our first priority is the protection of the citizens of this country”General Buba added.
Read the report in full;
REPORT ON ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS BY THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA AS AT 21 DECEMBER 2023
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST)
1. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrol to BH/ISWAP enclaves in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Troops then arrested BH/ISWAP terrorists collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
2. Details as follows:
a. Fighting Patrol. On 13 December 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to BH/ISWAP terrorists’ enclave and made contact with terrorists in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one terrorist and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one PKM barrel, one motorcycle and 2 bicycles.
b. Arrest of BH/ISWAP Terrorists Collaborators. On 14 December 2023, troops arrested 4 suspected terrorists collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operation, troops recovered foodstuffs, medical supplies, 2 mobile phones and the sum of Ten Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N10,650. 00) only.
SUMMARY
3. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 8 and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one PKM barrel, 2 mobile phones, one motorcycles, one bicycle and the sum of N10,650.00.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
4. Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN foiled kidnap incident in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Troops also arrested suspected armed robbers in Bokkos LGA of the State.
5. Details are as follows:
a. Foiled Kidnap Incident. On 13 December 2023, troops while on patrol responded to info on kidnapping activities in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages in the operation.
b. Arrests. On 15 December 2023, troops with hybrid forces responded to info of armed robbery incident in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected armed robbers. Troops recovered one fabricated AK47 rifle and 3 mobile phones.
SUMMARY
6. Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 9 and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one locally fabricated rifles and 3 mobile phones.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
7. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE raided suspected terrorist hideouts and recovered ammo in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.
8. Details are as follows:
b. Raid Operations. On 15 December 2023, troops while on fighting patrol raided terrorist hideouts in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. Following a fire fight, troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 8 magazines, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 2 RPG chargers, 8 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones, 1,085 rounds of 7.62 x 56mm ammo, 45 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 3 Dane guns, one Pump action gun and one boafeng HH radio amongst other items.
SUMMARY
9. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized one terrorists, arrested 7 terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, 3 dane guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 8 magazines, 1,085 rounds of 7.62mm x 56mm of special ammo, 45 rounds 5.56 x 45mm, 2 RPG chargers, 8 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and one boafeng HH radio amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)
10. The troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI arreted suspected terrorists informant and collaborator in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Troops also conducted fighting patrol to Illela and Gwadabawa LGAs of Sokoto State. Additionally, troops conducted offensive operations in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.
11. Details are as follows;
a. Arrests.
(1) On 11 December 2023, troops responded and arrested a suspected terrorist’s informant in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to have been an informant to terrorists’ kingpin identified as Damin and Yusuf Yellow for over one year.
(2) On 12 December 2023, troops arrested one suspected terrorist’ collaborator in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
b. Fighting Patrols. On 12 and 13 December 2023, troops in a separate operations conducted fighting patrol to Illela and Gwadabawa LGAs of Sokoto State. During operations, troops made contact with terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 mobile phones and the Sum of Eight Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N885,250) only among other items.
c. Offensive Operation. On 14 December 2023, troops while on offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists while other fled. Troops also rescued 6 kidnapped hostages. During the operation, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 19 magazines, 40 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 2 Dane guns, 84 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 2 radios and 4 mobile phones amongst other items.
12. Air Interdiction. On 15 and 16 December 2023, following INTEL and comfirmatory ISR, the air component of HADARIN DAJI in separate close air support operations conducted air interdictions on 2 terrorist leaders enclaves; Rabe’s and Alhaji Maidawa’s enclaves in Danmusa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State. The locations were observed to be active of bandits activities. Subsequently, the targets were acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons in multiple passes. The Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorist were neutralized and their structures as well as logistics were destroyed.
SUMMARY
13. Overall, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 6 terrorists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 dane guns, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 84 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 19 magazines, 6 mobile phones, 2 radios and the sum of N885,250.00 amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
14. The troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air interdiction and casualties evacuation in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
15. Details are as follows;
16. Air Interdiction. Following credible intelligence of terrorist’s attack on a detachment of DSS operatives in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. The air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air interdiction on terrorists while withdrawing to hideouts. Accordingly, target were trailed and acquired as well as engaged with precision munition. The Battle Damage Assessment and local sources confirmed that several terrorists including key leadership were neutralized in the air strike. Also, the air component provided air close support and evacuation for troops in distress.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
17. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Troops raided a suspected criminals hideouts in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State.
18. Details as follows:
a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 234,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 160,800 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,800 litres of PMS. Troops also neutralized one criminal and apprehended 42 suspected oil thefts. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 9 dugout pits, 14 boats, 43 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles and 9 vehicles. Other items recovered incl 71 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and 37 illegal refining sites.
b. Raid Operation. On 14 December 2023, troops while on fighting patrol raided suspected criminals hideout in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State. During the fire fight, troops neutralized one combatant and recover an AK 47 Rifle loaded with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
SUMMARY
19. Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 234,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 160,800 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,800 litres of PMS. Additionally, Troops discovered and destroyed 9 dugout pits, 14 boats, 43 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles and 9 vehicles. Other items recovered include 71 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and 37 illegal refining sites.
20. Troops also apprehended 42 suspected oil thefts and other criminals elements as well as neutralized one combatant with AK 47 Rifle with 12 rounds of 7.62mm special.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
21. Troops of Operation UDO KA conducted a raid operation in Agwu LGA of Enugu State and recovered arms.
22. Details as follows:
a. Raid Operations On 13 and 14 December 2023, troops collaborating with DSS personnel raided suspected terrorist’s hideouts in Awgu LGA of Enugu State. During the operation, troops arrested 4 suspects. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action rifle, 2 magazines, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special and 4 live cartridges.
b. Recovered of Arms. On 15 December 2023, further to an earlier arrest of one Mr Uchechukwu and 3 others, troops raided suspected terrorists criminals’ hideout in Awgu LGA of Enugu State. During the operation, troops recovered 3 FN rifles.
SUMMARY
22. Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 3 criminals, arrested 9 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, 3 FN rifles, one pump action gun, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4 cartridges, and 2 magazines amongst other items. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
