Military apprehends 88 terrorists after neuralizing 59 of them – DHQ

According to the Defence Headquarters, in one week, the military has neutralised 59 terrorists, captured 88 criminals, 10 kidnappers, 20 shooters, and 19 suspected oil thieves.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said in a statement on Friday that the military also freed 88 kidnapped captives during the period.

He stated that the Nigerian Armed Forces were involved in multiple operations across the six geopolitical zones to address the country’s security concerns.

According to Buba, the troops recovered 68 weapons and 1,364 rounds of ammunition, including 26 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, one AKMS rifle, one FN rifle, four pump action, five pistols, and 19 dane guns.

The military also seized 1,083 rounds of 7.62mm special, 228 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 14 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm, 15 fully filled AK47 magazines, and nine rounds of 9mm ammo for a total of N41,915.00 and CFA 49,000.

Others, according to him, include 323,650 litres of stolen crude oil, 128,700 litres of unlawfully refined AGO, and 4,000 litres of DPK, with a total value of N388,441,660.00 rejected for the oil thefts.

“As of July 28, the military had neutralised 59 terrorists, arrested 88 criminals, 10 kidnappers, 20 gunmen, and 19 suspected oil thieves,” he claimed.

Buba stated that forces from Operation Hadin Kai launched offensive operations against terrorist enclaves in Borno’s Gwoza, Konduga, Bama, and Mafa Local Government Areas, neutralising militants, rescuing captives, and recovering weapons.

He said that the offensive led to the surrender of some terrorist militants and the denunciation of their doctrine, while gun runners and collaborators were also apprehended in Yobe.

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According to him, troops killed 13 terrorists, detained 12, and rescued 18 hostages, while 764 terrorists, including two adult males, 336 adult females, and 426 minors, surrendered to troops at various areas throughout the theatre.

Buba stated that troops from Operation Safe Haven raided criminal hideouts in Benue and Taraba States’ Logo, Takum, and Ukum Local Government Areas.

He stated that the military made touch with criminal groups and neutralised some of them, as well as rescued captives and retrieved firearms.

According to him, troops also apprehended kidnappers/criminals and seized firearms in Kaduna State’s Lere and Sanga Local Government Areas.

He also stated that troops from Operation Whirl Stroke stormed kidnappers’ hideouts in Benue and Taraba States’ Wukari, Ukum, Logo, and Takum Local Government Areas.

According to him, troops also nabbed suspected livestock rustlers and bandits in Guma, Benue, and a gunrunner in Doma, Nasarawa State, recovering a substantial quantity of ammo, totaling 17 suspects.

Buba stated that troops from Operation Hadarin Daji rescued 50 abducted victims in Zamfara’s Talata Mafara and Maru Local Government Area, as well as neutralised five terrorists in Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto States.

According to him, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction on terrorist hideouts in Sola, Zamfara State, where terrorists used to target commuters along the Jibia-Katsina Road and capture hostages.

Troops killed 13 terrorists and collected one GPMG, three AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, one FN rifle, one manufactured rifle, two dane guns, two locally built pistols, eight dane guns, 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 22 rounds of 7.62mm empty cases, according to him.

“Other items include 12 motorcycles, two tricycles, six cell phones, four cutlasses, one boafeng radio, one solar radio charger, one dagger, and 12 arrows.”

“In addition, troops apprehended three terrorist collaborators and rescued 75 kidnapped civilians.”

According to Buba, the forces of Operation Delta Safe Haven recovered 498,650 litres of crude oil, 168,145 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 4,400 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine in the South-South.

He also stated that the forces recovered 152 rounds of various ammunition, 23 calibres of guns, and 8 AK47 magazines.

Other items include six automobiles, two Boafeng radios, one 8HP, an electric saw, matchetes, an axe, and an IPOB flag dagger, according to him.

“Troops razed 42 illegal refining sites, 36 wooden boats, 68 storage tanks, 77 ovens, 19 dugout pits, four speedboats, and five outboard engines.”

“Meanwhile, 41 suspected criminals were apprehended, and an estimated sum of N388.4 million was denied the oil thefts during the period under investigation.”

During the period, forces from Operation UDO KA in the South East neutralised three shooters, captured 23 suspects, and confiscated a stockpile of rifles and ammunition, according to a defence spokeswoman.

He stated that the troops of Operation AWATSE found 5,407 wraps of substances suspected to be cannabis in the South West.

He also stated that the troops recovered four vehicles, ten mobile phones, 14 cylinders, and seven offenders.

“The aggressive posture of troops is producing the desired results while denying perpetrators of insecurity in the country the freedom to act.”

“The military’s sustained momentum will almost certainly cause them to reconsider their decisions.”

“The military will continue to take the fight in order to defeat these forces of evil,” he said. (NAN)