Troops Neutralize 220 Terrorists, Arrest 55 Perpetrators Of Oil Theft
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have neutralised 220 terrorists, arrested 55 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages.
Defence Media Operations Chief, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said this on Friday, in a statement detailing the operations of the AFN in various theatres of operation across the country.
Buba disclosed also that between 12 and 18 June 2024, a total of 355 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists comprising 33 adult males, 106 adult females and 216 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations, while between 10 and 13 June 2024, a total 397 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and their families members comprising of 25 adult males, 126 adult females and 246 children surrendered to troops in Bama, Dikwa, Gwoza, Mafa LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
In the North Central and Northeast zones of the country, offensive operations, raid operations, anti-kidnapping/criminality operations by troops of theatres: OPERATION WHIRL STROKE, SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL PUNCH and HADARIN DAJI, led to the arrest of violent extremists and kidnappers, terrorist collaborators and other criminals, as well as the rescue of several kidnapped hostages.
Troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 assorted ammunition, made up of 3 PKT guns, 1 G3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 16 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 2 double barrel guns, 2 single barrel guns, 8 locally fabricated pistols, 2 revolver rifles, 1 hand grenade, 14 RPG bombs, 1 RPG launcher, 2 tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades and one bandolier.
Others are: 5,893 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 401 rounds of 9mm ammo, 200 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 154 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 195 live cartridges, 17 magazines, 3 baofeng radios, 8 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 59 mobile phones and the sum of N813,550.00 only amongst other items.
In the Southsouth, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Eight Hundred and Sixty Million One Hundred and Fifty One Thousand Seven Hundred Naira (N1,860,151,700.00) only.
In the Niger Delta area, troops discovered and destroyed 51 dugout pits, 38 boats and 51 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 215 cooking ovens, 2 speedboats, 44 drums, 3 tug boats, 3 barges, 4 wheelbarrows, one outboard engine, 15 vehicles, 3 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones and 105 illegal refining sites.
Also recovered was 1,099,860 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,101,700 litres of illegally refined AGO, 27,350 litres of DPK and 150 litres of PMS.
In the Southeast, troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations that led to the naturalization of 22 terrorists, the arrest of 37 violent extremists and the rescue of 15 kidnapped hostages.
Buba averred that the armed forces has intensified intelligence collection effort targeted at hunting terrorists and striking them where they maybe hiding and hibernating.
“The aim is to kill these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them. Additionally, operational adjustments have been made to prioritize protection for farmers to ensure a successful rainy season farming”, adding that,
“troops will continue to employ significant firepower to neutralize terrorists and disrupt their activities across the country. Winning the war against the terrorist is non negotiable”.
