*Says 88 terrorists killed, 181 kidnapped victims rescued in one week
The Defence headquarters said on Thursday that troops have deployed in strength to provided assistance to the police in ensuring a hitch free off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, slated for 16 Nov 24.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba while making this known said, “Indeed, troops presence is to ensure security of citizens enabling them to cast their votes without any form of harassment or intimidation, while keeping mischief makers at bay.
“The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral material in support of INEC”
This is just as Major General Buba disclosed that troops fighting against insecurity neutralized 88 terrorists and arrested 228 persons in the last one week.
“Troops also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages.
In the Niger Delta, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1. 02billion.
“Troops discovered and destroyed 59 illegal refining sites, 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks, 3 barges, 7 speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, 5 pumping machines and 9 vehicles among others.
“Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS.
Continuing, Buba said, “Troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 assorted ammunition comprising 34 AK-47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 dane guns, 5 fabricated revolver pistol, 8 locally made pistols, 3 pump action guns and one magnum pump action.
“Others are: 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 77 rounds of 9mm ammo, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones and the sum of N1,851,000.00 only amongst other items.
Giving details of the offensives, the DMO said, ‘Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 40 terrorists, arrested 50 suspects and rescued 27 kidnappers hostages.
“Troops also recovered 24 AK-47 rifles, 5 fabricated rifles, 3 dane gun, one pump action gun, 609 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 91 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 7 magazines, 9 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones amongst other items.
“The air component of Operation Hadin Kai on 7 November 2024, conducted air interdiction on mass movement of ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters from Lake Chad Basin to the hinterland of southern Tumbuns. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.
“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 9 violent extremists, arrested 41 persons and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered one magnum pump action gun, 7 fabricated rifles, one locally made pistols, one locally made revolver pistol, 115 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 34 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 29 live cartridges, one magazine, 2 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst other items.
“On 11 November 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists in Bokkos and Jema’a LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and arrested 4 violent extremists. Troops also recovered 2 fabricated rifles and 72 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 20 violent extremists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 locally made pistols, one revolver pistol, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12 live cartridges, 10 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“On 4 and 7 November 2024, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists in Ibbi and Pupule Yorro LGAs of Taraba State as well as Logo LGA of Benue State respectively.
“During the operations, troops arrested 2 extremists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.
“On 7 and 9 November 2024, troops in separate operations responded to distress calls on activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in Takum LGA of Taraba State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 12 extremists and recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 locally made pistols, one revolver pistol, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12 cartridges, 10 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 33 terrorists, arrested 41 persons and rescued 21 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 7 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 5 Dane guns, 935 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 189 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 40 rounds of 9mm ammo, 6 magazines, 5 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
“Similarly, air interdiction was conducted on newly established terrorists camp around Sangeko as well as notorious terrorist Ado Ailero’s Enclave in Maru and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara State.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.
“The air component also conducted air interdiction on terrorists camps at the northern fringe of Alawa Forest and terrorists logistics base in Shiroro LGA and Birnin Gwari LGAs of Niger and Kaduna States respectively.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures as well as logistics destroyed.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 31 violent extremists and recovered one dane gun, one pump action gun, 3 locally made pistols, 17 roumds of 9mm ammo, 4 live cartridges, 9 magazines and 2 mobile phones mongst others items.
“On 7 November 2024, troops while conducting offensive operations intercepted and arrested 4 extremists in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State. Troops also recovered one dane guns, 9 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and fragmental jacket amongst others.
“On 5 November 2024, following a tip-off, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested 27 illegal immigrants from Benin Republic and one Nigerien in AMAC FCT Abuja.
“Between 8 and 12 November 2024, troops in separate operations intercepted and apprehended 10 violent extremists including kidnappers in Dekina LGA of Kogi State and Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered one pump action gun, 3 locally made pistols, 17 rounds of 9mm ammo and 4 cartridges amongst others.
“”Troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 40 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered one magazine, 3 assorted arms and 25 assorted ammunition.
“Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks and 59 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include 3 barges, 7 speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, 5 pumping machines, 3 mobile phones and 9 vehicles among others.
In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 4 terrorists and arrested 5 violent extremists. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one fabricated rifle, 2 locally made pistols, one pump action gun, one dane gun, 111 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one magazine and 6 mobile phones only amongst other items.
- Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
“Troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 4 terrorists and arrested 5 violent extremists. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one fabricated rifle, 2 locally made pistols, one pump action gun, one dane gun, 111 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one magazine and 6 mobile phones only amongst other items.
“On 5 November 2024, following a tip-off, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 5 IPOB/ESN terrorists and collaborators in Nsukka and Orlu LGAs of Enugu and Imo States respectively.
“Troops also recovered one fabricated gun, 2 locally made pistols, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo and 3 mobile phones.
“On 6 November 2024, while conducting offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Nsukka LGA of Enugu State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, one pump action gun, one dane gun, one magazine, 111 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
Gen Buba further said, “troops offensives has severely depleted ISWAP terrorist rank and file in the NE forcing a desperate recruitment drive.
“Similarly, terrorist in the NW are on a recruitment drive on social media for new recruits. Troops are aware of the situation and working with other security agencies and governments to thwart the plans.”
