By Tom Chiahemen (ABUJA) –
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, in continuation of their task of engendering peace and protection of lives and property across the six geo-political zones of the country, neutralized a total of 130 terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements in the last two weeks.
The troops also effected the arrest of 102 other criminal elements, rescued 100 kidnapped civilians and recovered assorted arms and ammunition, including36 AK-47 rifles and 4-gun trucks, as well as 1,118,173 litres of illegal AGO and 2,086,000 litres of stolen crude oil.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major-General Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this on Thursday during the bi-weekly media briefing on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja.
He further disclosed that the operations were conducted by troops of the various operational theatres and other security agencies to tackle insecurity between 10th and 24th February 2022, led to the Surrendering of 466 Boko Haram and ISWAP Terrorists and their families, comprising of 120 Adult Males, 137 Adult Females and 209 Children with the claimed to have lost interest in the BHT ideology.
According to Major-General Onyeuko, in Borno State, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, “neutralized 63 fighters, arrested 86members of the terrorists, recovered 4 gun trucks, 25 AK47 rifles, 56 magazines with 6.2mm special ammunitions, 78 rounds of different calibers of ammunitions, 67 packets of rounds on links, 3 FN grenades and 3 bandoliers. Additionally, 20 abducted civilians were rescued by own troops.”
He said the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI within the period under review conducted several operational at different locations in Zamfara and Katsina states, which resulted in the recovery of 10 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 6.2mm ammunitions, 20 motorcycles, 40 herds of rustled cows, 50 rams.
“Troops also rescued 10 kidnapped civilians, arrested 10 bandits and neutralized 10 bandits. All arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities,” he added.
Similarly, Tthe troops of Op Safe Haven sustained their Kinetic and non – Kinetic operations in different locations of the theatre covering Plateau and Kaduna states, which yielded notable results, including the recovery of a total of 1 AK 47 rifle, 2 locally made guns, 4 rustled cows, 1Toyota Camry car and I Mikano generating set, while 3 Cattle rustlers and 2 Kidnappers were arrested, with a total of 60 displaced person were rescued and taken to shelter.
Continuing, Major-General Onyeuko revealed that in the last 2 weeks, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted clearance operations in different locations in creeks, villages, towns and communities in the Niger Delta region, leading to the recovery of a total of 1,118,175 litres of illegal AGO and 2,086.000 litres of stolen crude oil.
“Similarly, troops discovered 38 refining sites, 100 metal storage tanks, 25 dugout pits, 75 cooking ovens, 20 cotonou boats, 35 Yamaha pumping machines, 15 coolants as well as 10 tankers were recovered.
“Also, 35 galvanized pipes illegally connected were destroyed. Furthermore, 13 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization were arrested. All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions,” he said.
He
He said the air component carried out air interdiction on terrorist/ bandits enclaves in South of Damari in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State after a painstaking air reconnaissance missions on terrorist/bandits enclaves, resulting in the neutralization of a total of 55 bandits.
“Similarly, own troops in Agasha in Guma Local government area of Benue State in an encounter with criminals at the Gbekyor general area rescued 10 kidnapped civilians and arrested 3 of the criminal elements.
“Furthermore, troops on clearance operations on 22 February 2022 in Mbayongo area in Katsina Ala local government area came in a contact with bandits terrorizing the area and neutralized 1 bandit, arrested and recovered 2 locally made guns, 1 pistol, 69mm rounds, 7.62mm special. The rescued civilians and arrested criminals have been handed to the appropriate authorities for further actions,” he said.
He conveyed the appreciation of the Military High Command to the troops in the frontlines of the various theatre of operations for their zeal and commitment in containing the various securities challenges across the country.
“The general public is also appreciated for their cooperation across the country in providing useful information in aiding our operations. We will continue to solicit for more cooperation in the fight against criminalities across the country,” Major-General Onyeuko said.