The Nigerian Military has recovered over 38 AK47 rifles among other types of guns from different operations in the geopolitical zones of the country.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this during the Bi-Weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
He said that the briefing covered the period 20th April to 4th of May, 2023.
General Danmadami said that “the land and air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West zone of the country have sustained offensive operations on terrorists enclaves, camps and hideouts within the zone”.
“Cumulatively, within the weeks in review, troops in the North West zone recovered 19 AK47 rifles, 1 LMG, 2 dane gun, 3 GPMG, 3 fabricated pistol, 1 beretta pistol, 1 locally made revolver pistol, 1 double barrel gun,
8 AK47 magazines, 1 PKT magazines, 64 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 6 AGL bombs, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special, 60 cutlasses, 1 baofeng radio, 2 solar panel, 13 mobile phones, 38 motorcycles, 87 bags of rice, 24 cows, 8 donkeys, 28 camels, 102 goats, 231 sheep, 105 wrapped cannabis, 1,035 tablets of tramadol and the sum of N89, 000.00 only”, he explained.
According to him, troops also neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 30 terrorists’ informants, 6 terrorist’s logistics suppliers, 2 gunrunners and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
All recovered items, arrested suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action, while the rescued kidnapped civilians were given medical attention and handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Also, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted a series of air interdiction operations at terrorist hideouts within Katsina and Zamfara States that inflicted casualties on the terrorists.
According to him, a well-planned and coordinated air operation was carried out at an identified notorious and wanted terrorists enclave, within Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State and camps within Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He said that “the locations were seen to be active with terrorists and thereby bombarded and following the airstrikes, feedback revealed that several terrorists were eliminated”.
The Director noted that troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA in the South East zone of the country have sustained the fight against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist group, aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the zone.
Notably, troops acting on credible intelligence raided the residence of a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network member, said to be in possession of arms and ammo at Ihiala town in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to him, troops arrested the suspected criminal and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 4 AK47 magazines, 49 pump action guns, 6 dane guns, 75 rounds of 7.62mm special and 3,371 live cartridges.
“On the same day, troops raided suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorists camps within Nkanu East Local Government Area and Ninth Mile area in Udi Local Government Area all of Enugu State and made contact with the terrorists. A fierce firefight ensued and 1 terrorist was neutralized while 7 others were arrested. Troops destroyed their makeshift camps and recovered 2 CCTV cameras, 8 motorcycles, 2 boafeng radios, 1 military jungle hat, 3 mobile phones, substance suspected to be cannabis sativa,1 knife, 1 hammer and 1 axe”, he said.
Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in these recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 49 pump action guns, 6 dane guns, 4 AK47 rifle magazines, 75 rounds of 7.62mm special, 3,371 live cartridges, 1 knife, 1 axe and 1 hammer. Other items include 1 military jungle hat, 2 baofeng radios, 2 CCTV cameras, 3 mobile phones, 8 motorcycles, and a substance suspected to be cannabis.
Troops also neutralized 1 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist and arrested 8.
All recovered items, rescued abducted civilians and apprehended terrorists’ were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
General Danmadami also noted that Troops of Operation AWATSE in the South West region of the country have continued to clamp down on the activities of criminal elements within the general area of operation.
Precisely, 24 April 2023, following a violent clash at Ikare market in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, troops conducted patrol to Olukare Area of Ikare town but the criminal fled on sighting troops.
He said that “troops searched the general area and recovered 3 locally fabricated double barrel guns, 3 locally made single barrel guns, 3 locally made guns and 5 cartridges”.
All recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
The Military High Command has commended the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country while the media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies.
One minutes silence was observed for those officers and other security agents that paid supreme price in the cause of their duties.
Confidence Okwuchi
