Troops of the Nigerian Army on line of duty have neutralised a total of 2,245 terrorists and arrested 3,682 of the criminal elements in the second quarter of the year 2024.
The soldiers also rescued 1,993 hostages, discovered and destroyed a massive 643 illegal refinery sites while depriving the oil thieves of making away with an estimated sum of over N10 billion (N10, 533,131,470.00).
Their gallantry resulted in the recovery of 9,225,149 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,874,916 litres of illegally refined AGO, 29,900 litres of DPK and 31,380 litres of PMS amongst other items.
Director Defence Information Major Gen Edward Buba said this at a media briefing Thursday in Abuja.
He said during the encounters, 2,783 weapons and 64, 547 ammunition were recovered. They comprised 1,169 AK47 rifles, 36,273 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14,764 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 713 assorted arms and 9, 850 assorted ammunition.
Detailing the operations in the various theatres, Buba said: “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in North East neutralised 857 terrorist, arrested 913 suspects and rescued 594 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recorded a total of 4,582 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families.
“Troops dismantled the terrorist military capabilities by recovering 559 AK47 rifles, 151 fabricated rifles, 181 dane guns, 157 assorted arms, 13,493 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5,409 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4,921 assorted ammunitions.
“Troops conducted operations deep in terrorist enclaves in Sambisa Forest and the Tumbuns of the Lake Chad Region. The operations targeted terrorists’ commanders and leaders’ strongholds.
“The operations denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive as well as diminished the terrorist offensive capability. Accordingly, terrorists were limited to low level skirmishes and attacks, which were mostly on soft targets.
“The air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted air interdictions to terrorists’ enclaves at Mandara Mountain, Maradun. Several terrorist enclaves and hideouts were destroyed, killing terrorist leaders, commanders and foot soldiers as well as destroying their logistics dumps.”
…North central
Buba further said: “In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 130 terrorist violent extremists, arrested 544 suspects and rescued 277 kidnap hostages.
“Troops equally recovered 39 AK47 rifles, 37 fabricated guns, 126 assorted arms, 3,852 rounds of 7.62mm special, 827 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 499 assorted ammunitions.
“Additionally, troops in fierce contact with violent extremists/terrorists neutralized several terrorists and rescued several kidnapped hostages. The offensive posture of troops has secured the release of several kidnapped hostages and significantly curtailed the activities of terrorist and violent extremist operating in the area.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 138 terrorist, arrested 377 suspects and rescued 204 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 63 AK47 rifles, 110 assorted arms, 3,563 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,524 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 649 assorted ammunitions.
“The key threats faced by troops in the region include banditry by various militia groups, farmers/herders clashes between herder militias and indigenes, kidnapping for ransom by suspected herder militia, gunrunning activities by suspected indigenes of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States.”
“However, troops’ onslaught largely degraded the potency of bandit groups, even though they remain present in the area. Furthermore, troops anticipate communal clashes occasioned by the rainy season. The rainy season usually sets in communal clashes and farmers/herders’ conflicts, which is as a result of increase encroachment on farmlands.
“Based on the foregoing, troops with the support of sister services have emplaced measures to minimise these communal clashes. Additionally, troops will continue to optimize operations against terrorist and their cohorts,” he added.
…On North-west
On the troops’ exploit in the North West, Buba said “troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 764 terrorists, arrested 673 suspects and rescued 592 kidnap hostages.
“Troops also recovered 420 AK47 rifles, 126 fabricated guns, 174 assorted arms, 9,893 rounds of 7.62mm special, 4,678 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1, 239 assorted ammunition.
“Troops activities instigated rival clash among the terrorist groups leading to the death of several terrorist commanders in battle for supremacy of rival groups.
“The synergy between the security agencies and intelligence agencies greatly assisted in the optimizing operational exploits against terrorists in the NW Zone.
“Air component conducted air interdiction to terrorists’ enclaves/camps in Kankara, Zurmi, Danmusa, Maradun and Gusau as well as other areas within Katsina and Zamfara States.
“Several terrorist leaders and commanders were wiped off the battlefield via air interdictions conducted.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 170 terrorist, arrested 366 suspects and rescued 178 kidnap hostages. Troops equally recovered 60 AK47 rifles, 88 assorted arms, 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special, 924 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 88 assorted ammunitions.
“Significantly, offensive operations such as fighting patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance patrols were conducted to terrorist hideouts and enclaves. The terrorists were denied freedom of action with their combat capabilities diminished.
“The air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air strikes on terrorists’ enclave at Mariga, Kabago, Alawa Forest, Kwaki forest, East Getamiya, Katarma, Chikun, Kuduru, Giwa and several other areas in which terrorists hibernate within in Niger and Kaduna States.”
…Niger Delta/South East
Speaking further, the defence spokesman said: “In the Niger Delta, troops of Op Delta Safe maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft during the second quarter of the year. Troops continued to find and destroyed illegal refining sites as well as arrest the perpetrators of oil theft.
“During the period, troops neutralized 14 violent extremist and arrested 455 persons involved in crude oil theft. Troops also denied the oil theft of 9,225,149 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,874,915 litres of AGO, 29,900 litres of DPK and 31,380 litres of PMS.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 2,752 assorted weapons and destroyed 243 wooden boats, 2,752 assorted ammunitions and 543 illegal refining sites.
“Air Component of Delta Dafe conducted air interdiction to Degema LGA of Rivers State and other parts of Niger Delta and destroyed over 100 illegal refining sites, boats vehicles among other equipment.”
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralised 180 combatants, arrested 354 IPOB/ESN criminals and rescued 148 kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 28 AK47 rifles, 44 pump action guns, 58 assorted arms, 3,456 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1,402 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 801 live cartridges and 324 assorted ammunitions.
“The operations curtailed the activities IPOB/ESN, being the major cause of insecurity in the SE Region. The other security threat in the SE Region are illegal bunkering/oil theft activities, weapon/ammunition trafficking, kidnap for ransom, cultism, assassinations and communal clashes.
“Significantly, troops conducted combined operations with other security services and invaded fortified IPOB and ESN strongest hideout in Mother Valley, Orsu LGA of Imo State. Additionally, troops effected the arrest of one Monday Oluchi Ogwu aka B44 Camp.
“During search of the camp, several corpses in shallow graves were exhumed within the camp vicinity. Additionally, troops arrested high profile member of IPOB/ESN such as one Mr Onwuha Onyebuchi at Agwu LGA of Enugu State. He and several others are assisting ongoing investigation.
“Troops also conducted raid on notorious gunrunner and weapon fabricator’s house identified as Chief Solomon aka Ogbuefi at Ebum Eburutu in Abi LGA in Cross River State. All these activities by troops greatly diminished the potency of IPOB and cohorts in the SE Region,” Buba said.
…Our resolve …Buba
He further said: “The resolve of the armed forces is very clear and it is to destroy the terrorists and dismantle their military capabilities in order for citizens to be safe.
“Accordingly, troops are actively fighting in different forms and retain operational flexibility which gives us the ability to respond to different events and to project forces according to strategic needs.
“Indeed, the military has greatly degraded the terrorist, even though they are still present in the theatres of operation. It would take time and effort to completely destroy these terrorists, particularly as counter insurgency is akin to a marathon not a sprint.
“It is safe to say that the terrorists have prioritised their military capability over everything else. This is because as our forces advance and clear areas in which these terrorists hibernate, we continue to recover weapons, explosives and IEDs which are indicative of the priorities of the terrorists.
“Nevertheless, we continue to wipe out the terrorists through synchronised ground and air operations. Troops operations are continually assessed in order to make adjustments in our actions, thereby amending our operations to increasingly ensure we minimize civilian casualties.
“Our operations are progressing according to plan even as we abide International laws governing armed conflict. Overall, we will do everything within the bounds of the law to make our nation safe for citizens. The military will keep up with the fighting spirit and maintain the stamina in the frontlines. Our pride is to risk our lives, to save the lives of our citizens. This is what we do to secure our country.”
…Repel IPOB, kill 5
In a related development, troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for operations in Ebonyi state Thursday aborted an attack by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) on Isheke Police station.
According to reports, the IPOB fighters invaded the station and torched the facility as well as several vehicles on the premises.
In a statement posted Thursday on X, the service said its troops, upon arrival at the scene, engaged the IPOB fighters in a gun duel, during which they were subdued and five of them killed.
“Troops of the Nigerian Army in a swift and decisive response have repelled an attack on Isheke Police Station which came under attack by suspected IPOB terrorists resulting in the torching of the facility and several vehicles.
“Troops, on arrival at the scene, launched a counter-attack on the terrorists overpowering and compelling them to flee in disarray.
“Accordingly, troops engaged the terrorists in a hot pursuit, leading to an intense gun battle, which resulted in the elimination of five suspected terrorists and seizure of several weapons.”
The Army also said troops recovered several dangerous weapons from the fighters.
“The troops recovered one PKT Machine Gun with a link belt containing 94 rounds of ammunition, 2 AK-47 rifles with 3 magazines, containing 11 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Submachine Gun with a magazine, and a Sienna SUV with registration number Ebonyi CHR-364JC.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to operate in synergy with sister services and other security agencies to combat the terrorists’ activities by IPOB and its armed affiliate, the ESN. We urge all law-abiding citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or activity to the security agencies,” the statement said.
