Defence Headquarters said it is a fallacy for Boko haram to say that military killed one of their members, so, they have to kill rice farmers as regards to the trending video on social media.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche stated this at a news briefing in Abuja, said that this was an act of wickedness by the terrorists.
Major General Enenche called on the public not to be discouraged; as the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies are on top of the situation to restore lasting peace in the country through various operations.
Major General Enenche also at the briefing said that between 26th November to 2nd of December 2020, in continuation of intensive kinetic operations against armed bandits and other criminals in the North Central zone, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and other subsidiary operations conducted raids at identified criminals’ hideouts.
He said notably, within this period, “troops of Operation NUTCRACKER II in conjunction with local vigilante members while on clearance operations engaged armed bandits at Dutse Magaji in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State”.
He noted that during the Operation, 3 bandits were neutralized while one AK47 rifle and 38 rustled cattle were recovered.
According to him, in the South-South Zone of the country, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have sustained the fight against economic sabotage to secure critical oil infrastructure in the zone.
Similarly, on 26 November 2020, gunboats of Forward Operating Base IBAKA while on routine patrol around Mbo river, intercepted and arrested one large wooden boat laden with 229 drums of 300 litres of product suspected to be PMS with 2 suspects, outboard engines and pumping machines.
Additionally, within the period under review, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilized 2 reactivated illegal refining sites containing 4 boilers, 6 storage tanks and one wooden boat laden with illegally refined oil products around Oputumbi in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Furthermore, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE immobilized 2 reactivated illegal refining sites containing 3 boilers and 5 storage tanks laden with crude oil around Orutoru in same Local Government Area.
According to him, in the South West zone, troops of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the zone. Within the period under review, troops of Operation AWATSE while on routine patrol intercepted 6 trucks fully loaded with stolen petroleum products at Areppo.
Major General Enenche said the operation was conducted after an intensified surveillance was carried out by troops within the general area.
Accordingly, troops moved swiftly to the area and met vandals loading their trucks with the fuel.
He said “troops arrested 10 of the vandals and 6 trucks loaded products”.
The Coordinator noted that in the North-East zone, several land and air operations were conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.
He added that the troops adopted sustained vigilance and offensive postures through comprehensive ground and air operations. Within the period in focus, troops of Army Super Camp II Gamboru-Ngala conducted clearance operations at some suspected BHT/ISWAP criminals hideout at Garal village and Bulankesa village.
He said “the troops made contact with the terrorists and effectively engaged and dominated them with rapid fire power”.
Enenche noted that during the encounter, 2 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralized.
Relatedly, on 27 November 2020 troops of Strong Response Area Pulka conducted a robust clearance patrol at Ashigashiya area.
According to him, during the operation, troops made contact with the criminals at their logistics base.
He added that in the ensuing gun battle 2 terrorists were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Several bags of assorted grains and other food items were recovered.
Thereafter the logistics warehouse was destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has reassured the general public of its dedication towards securing the country as members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action.
