12 alleged Boko Haram terrorists are detained by troops in Yobe, and N3.1 million in cash is found

50 jerrycans each of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, and 3.1 million were also found among the terrorists’ belongings. These included Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

During their counterinsurgency operations in the North-East, Operation Hadin Kai troops detained 12 alleged Boko Haram terrorists in Yobe State.

50 jerrycans each of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, and 3.1 million were also found among the terrorists’ belongings. These included Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.

Major General Edward Buba, who is in charge of the Defence Media Operations, provided an update on the nation’s ongoing military operations on Thursday.

“Arrested: Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers and Collaborator” Following intelligence reports, troops conducted operations in the Borno State local government areas of Jere, MMC, and Biu as well as Gujba LGA between September 4 and 8, 2023,” he stated.

Twelve BH/ISWAP terrorists, collaborators, and logistics providers were detained by the soldiers during the operations. Four AK-47 weapons, 32 7.62mm special rounds, three locally built firearms, ten magazines, three food delivery vehicles, one mobile phone, 50 jerrycans of PMS and AGO, and three million one hundred and eighty thousand naira ($3,186,000.00) were found by the troops.

See the full report given by the defence headquarters below:

Report on Ongoing Military Operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as of September 14, 2023

Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai (North East)

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested suspected terrorists’ collaborators in Jere, MMC, and Biu in Borno State, as well as Gujba LGAs in Yobe State. Troops also ambushed and raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Konduga and Gwoza LGAs of Borno States. The troops offensive resulted in the elimination of terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition.

Details are as follows:

Arrest of Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers and CollaboratorsBetween September 4 and 8, 2023, following intelligence reports, troops conducted operations in Jere, MMC, and Biu LGAs in Borno State, as well as Gujba LGA in Yobe State. During the operations, troops arrested 12 BH/ISWAP terrorists, logistics suppliers, and collaborators. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 3 locally made guns, 10 magazines, 3 vehicles conveying food items, one mobile phone, 50 jerrycans of PMS and AGO, and the sum of Three Million One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand Naira (3,186,000.00).

Ambush on a suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist. On September 5, 2023, troops ambushed BH/ISWAP terrorists at a checkpoint in Konduga LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 12 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 Dane guns, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 4 motorcycles, and 3 cutlasses.

Attack on troops by suspected BHT/ISWAP On September 6, 2023, suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists attacked troops in Askira Uba LGA of Borno State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized seven terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 27 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo, and 42 empty cases of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo.

Troops attack BH/ISWAP terrorist enclaves. On September 7, 2023, troops conducted an offensive operation against terrorist’ enclaves in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with terrorists and neutralised 25 BH/ISWAP terrorists. Troops recovered 8 AK-47 rifles, 27 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, one Beretta pistol, 13 rounds of 9 mm ammo, 2 magazines, one Dane gun, 4 mobile phones, and 2 motorcycles.

SUMMARY

Overall, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recovered 17 AK47 rifles, 3 locally fabricated rifles, 3 locally made guns, one Berreta pistol, 3 Dane guns, 116 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo, and 42 empty cases of 7.62 mm x 54 ammo, 12 magazines, 50 jerrycans of PMS, 3 vehicles, 5 mobile phones, 6 motorcycles, 3 cutlasses, and the sum of N3,186,000.00. Troops also neutralised 44 terrorists, arrested 21, and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven (North Central)

Troops of Operation Safe Haven raided criminal hideouts in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State. Troops offensive operation led to the neutralisation and arrest of terrorists; some suspected criminals were arrested in Jos South and Jos East of Plateau State. Troops operations also led to the recovery of arms and ammunition.

The details are as follows:

Raid Operation. Between September 5 and 6, 2023, troops in separate operations raided terrorist hideouts in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State. Troops neutralized five terrorists, arrested seven suspected cattle rustlers and arms dealers. Troops also recovered seven AK-47 rifles, six Dane guns, and two motorcycles.

Troops arrested suspected criminals. On September 5, 2023, following intelligence reports, troops arrested four suspected criminals in Jos South LGA of Plateau State. Troops also recovered a motorcycle.

Troops neutralised terrorists. On September 7, 2023, troops conducted an offensive operation and made contact with terrorist combatants in Jos East LGA of Plateau State. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 11 combatants while others fled. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 15 magazines, and 2 motorcycles.

SUMMARY

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Overall, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 16 terrorists, arrested 16, and rescued one kidnapped hostage. The troop also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 6 Dane guns, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special, 15 magazines, and 3 motorcycles.

Operation Whale Strike (North Central)

Troops of Operation Whale Strike conducted fighting patrols and arrested suspected terrorists in Guma LGA of Benue State.

The details are as follows:

Troops arrested suspected terrorists. On September 6, 2023, troops conducted a fighting patrol and arrested suspected terrorists in Guma LGA of Benue State. Troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 4 pistols, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, and 3 empty magazines. A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects belong to a syndicate that has been terrorising the environment.

SUMMARY

Overall, troops in Operation Whale Strike neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested six terrorists, and rescued one kidnapped hostage. Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 4 pistols, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, and 3 empty magazines.

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)

The troops of Operation Haradin Daji rescued kidnapped hostages in Bukuyyum and Faskari LGAs of Zamfara and Katsina States, respectively. Troops also arrested terrorists’ collaborators in Matazu and Jibia LGAs of Katsina State.

The details are as follows:

Rescue of Kidnapped Victims

(1) On September 5, 2023, troops responded to information of a terrorist’s abduction of locals in Bukuyyum LGA of Zamfara State. Troops mobilised in the general area and made contact with the terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralized six terrorists while others fled, abandoning their victims. Troops rescued four kidnapped victims and reunited them with their families.

(2) On September 8, 2023, troops, while on offensive patrol, intercepted and rescued three civilian abductees in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Troops also neutralized seven terrorists. A preliminary investigation revealed that the victims escaped from terrorists captivity in Ungwa Doka of the same state.

Arrest of Suspected Terrorist Informant/Gunrunner Between September 6 and 8, 2023, following intelligence reports, troops arrested two suspected gunrunners and a terrorists’ informant in Matazu and Jibia LGAs of Katsina State.

Air Interdiction. The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted interdiction, degraded terrorist’ groups, logistics bases, and denied them freedom of action.

SUMMARY

Overall, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 18 terrorists, arrested five terrorists, and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.

OP WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)

Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralised and rescued kidnapped hostages at Igabi and Chikun LGAs of Kaduna State. Troops offensive actions resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators in Mokwa LGA of Niger State.

Details are as follows:

Troops neutralised terrorists. On 6 September 2023, troops on confidence building patrol made contact with terrorists in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered three AK-47 rifles and 10 rounds of 7.62mm special.

Troops rescued hostages. On September 7, 2023, troops, while on routine patrol, intercepted terrorists in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized five terrorists while others fled, abandoning their victims. Troops rescued seven kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one vehicle and two motorcycles.

Arrest of a suspected terrorist collaborator. On September 7, 2023, troops at a checkpoint intercepted a driver conveying 399 IED detonator primers in Mokwa LGA of Niger State. The driver was transiting from Ibadan, Oyo State, to deliver items at Lagos Garage Mando Park in Kaduna State. Following the discovery, the sender was also arrested.

Air Interdiction. The air component of Operation Whale Punch conducted air reconnaissance and air interdiction over Gidan Hassan and Amfu Hills, denying the terrorists freedom of action.

SUMMARY

Overall, troops in Operation Whale Punch eliminated 17 terrorists, arrested three suspected terrorists, and rescued seven kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 34 assorted weapons, 399 IED detonator primers, one vehicle, and two motorcycles.

Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe (South South)

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 also raided criminal hideout in Tai LGA of Rivers State.

Details are as follows:

Troops destroy illegal refining sites. Troops discovered and destroyed 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 235 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machines, 2 mobile phones, 89 illegal refining sites, and the sum of N13,950. Troops also recovered about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined AGO, 22,650 litres of PMS, and 3000 litres of DPK. Troops apprehended 45 people for oil theft.

Cordon and Search Op. On September 7, 2023, troops conducted a cordon and search operation on a suspected criminal hideout in Tai LGA of Rivers State. Troops arrested 14 suspects and recovered 14 assorted weapons.

Air Interdiction. On September 4, 2023, the air component of Operation Delta Safe conducted air interdiction over Bille and Ijawkiri, respectively. Active illegal refining sites were sighted and subsequently acquired. The location was attacked with rockets and cannons, destroying equipment and reservoirs.

SUMMARY

Overall, troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 235 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machines, 2 mobile phones, 89 illegal refining sites, and the sum of N13,950. Troops also recovered about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined AGO, 22,650 litres of PMS, 3000 litres of DPK, one tricycle, and 15 assorted weapons. Troops also arrested 59 suspected oil thieves and other criminal elements.

Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA (South East)

Troops of Operation UDO KA offensive operations led to the arrest of suspected criminals in Aba North and Owerri North of Abia and Imo States, respectively.

Arrest of suspected criminals. Between September 4 and 6, 2023, in a separate operation following intelligence reports, troops arrested six suspected criminals in Aba North and Owerri North of Abia and Imo States, respectively. A preliminary investigation revealed that two of the suspects were impersonating NCS and NIS personnel.

SUMMARY

In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 17 terrorists, arrested 11 suspected criminals, and rescued two kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 5 Dane guns, 7 pump-action guns, 4 magazines, and 34 cartridges. All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

EDWARD BUBA

Major General

Director, Defence Media Operations