The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ says troops operational activities in Operation HADIN KAI theatre have resulted in the neutralisation of 950 terrorists including their high profile Commanders and Amirs.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this during the review of operational activities of the troops in the various theatres of operation in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, the review will cover a cumulative summary of their achievements between when they started the fortnight briefings from 20th May 2021 and 6th January 2022.
General Onyeuko said also that a total of 79 terrorists were arrested and 113 kidnapped civilians were rescued by the troops of Operation HADIN KAI within the period.
A total of 195 assorted arms including AK-47 rifles, GPMGs, PKT guns and locally fabricated guns were recovered from terrorist elements in the course of the operations.
In addition, a total of 2,385 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 253 rustled livestock were recovered, while a total of 14 gun trucks of the terrorists were destroyed in the course of the operations, while 16 gun trucks were captured by own troops within the period.
Furthermore, a total of 24,059 terrorists and their families comprising 5,326 adult males, 7,550 adult females and 11,183 children have so far surrendered to own troops in the North East.
All surrendered elements have been properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions.
Operation Hadarin Daji
According to the Acting Director, in Operation HADARIN DAJI, the operational efforts of their gallant troops yielded appreciable results as a total of 537 armed bandits and other criminal elements were neutralised in action by own troops, while 374 criminal elements including armed bandits and their collaborators as well as armed herdsman and robbers were arrested.
Furthermore, 227 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 4,443 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 3,250 rustled livestock among other items and vehicles were recovered within the period.
Similarly, a total of 238 motorcycles and 118extra rifle magazines were recovered, while 452 kidnapped civilians were rescued by own troops in the course of the operations.
He noted that this is in addition to several other feats recorded during air offensives executed on bandits ‘enclaves by the Air Component.
He said “recent among prominent air offensives were concurrent air strikes executed on bandits’ enclaves at GusamiForest and West Tsamre village in Birnin Magaji LGA of Zamfara State, which led to the neutralization of scores of armed bandits.”
Consequently, a force package of NAF platforms were dispatched to takeout the enclaves, which resulted in the neutralization of the leaders as well as their cohorts.
In addition, several other armed bandits fleeing from the hit of the air strikes, were killed during follow up strikes. No fewer than 100 armed bandits were neutralized in the encounter.
Operation safe haven
General Onyeuko said that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN within the period recorded attendant successes in their kinetic operations within the North Central Zone.
He noted that some of the operations led to the arrest of a total of 1,771 criminal elements including armed bandits, armed herdsmen and livestock rustlers; while 109 armed bandits and other criminal elements were neutralised in action. Also, in the course of the operations, a total of 75 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while 1,306 livestock, 108 assorted arms including AK-47 rifles and locally produced guns as well as 493 rounds of different calibres of ammunition among other items were recovered in the course of the operations.
Moreover, troops carried out various non-kinetic activities in different locations of the theatre to contain security challenges in its area of responsibility. Some of these include; organized peace and security meetings with critical security stakeholders to discuss and proffer actionable solutions to security concerns as well as organized sporting activities for youths, in other to dissuade them from criminal activities, with consolation prizes.
Operation whirl stroke
According to him, between the periods under review, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operational activities cumulatively resulted in the neutralization of a total of 168 criminal elements, while127of them, including migrant armed bandits were arrested.
Also, 118 different types of arms and 381 different calibres of ammunitions as well as 391 livestock were recovered, while 33 kidnapped civilians were rescued within the period under review.
Operation WHIRL STROKE within the period, held peace and security meetings with community and youth leaders as well as other security agencies and other critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity challenges in the its area of responsibility.
These meetings were geared towards finding lasting solutions to the security challenges in the North Central Zone.
Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch
General Onyeuko noted that within the Operation THUNDER STRKE/WHIRL PUNCH theatre, troops engaged in various kinetic operations which cumulatively resulted in the neutralisation of 44 and arrest of 46 criminal elements.
He said that “troops operations also led to the recovery of 59 assorted arms, 12 extra AK-47 rifles magazines, 113 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 16 motorcycles among other items in the course of the operations.”
Additionally, a total of 14 kidnapped civilians were rescued and reunited with their families within the period under review.
Operation Delta Safe
In Operation DELTA SAFE, he noted that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria working in conjunction with other Security Agencies recorded remarkable results in their efforts against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes in the South-South Zone.
According to him, troops discovered and immobilized a cumulative total of 145illegal refining sites, 209 ovens, 122 cooking pots/boilers, 161 cooling systems, 224 reservoirs, 160 large dugout pits and 367storage tanks in the Niger Delta Region.
Consequently, a total of Twelve million, eight hundred and forty-six thousand, three hundred (12,846,300)litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil as well as 29,237 barrels and six million, four hundred and nighty-one thousand(6,491,000) litres of stolen crude oil were recovered within the period.
Similarly, a total of Three million, nine hundred and sixty-nine thousand (3,969,000)litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene; Ten million, two hundred thousand, five hundred(10,200,500)litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit were recovered by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE.
Additionally, troops recovered 33 assorted arms; 5,268 rounds of different calibres of ammunition and 21 AK-47 rifle magazines, while3,110 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled smuggled rice, 662 pieces of galvanized pipes, 32 tanker trucks and 119 wooden boats used for illegal oil bunkering activities were impounded and handled appropriately in the course of the operations.
Also, a total of 41 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 77criminalelements associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period. All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action.
Operation Awatse
According to him, the troops of Operation AWATSE in the fight against pipeline vandals and economic saboteurs in the South-West Zone successfully forestalled criminal activities within the period under review.
Onyeuko said that in the course of the operations, “troops impounded a total of 1,458,600 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit; 9,345 barrels of stolen crude oil and 355,000 litresillegally refined Automotive Gas Oil”.
Additionally, troops recovered a total of 1,594 rounds of ammunition and 14 assorted rifles. Also, within the period, a total of 15 illegal refining sites were immobilized, while 12 boats and 13 trucks engaged in illegal activities were arrested. In the same vein, within the period 15 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while 28criminal elements were arrested.
He said in summary, “the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralised 1,910 criminal elements including terrorists, armed bandits and robbers as well as kidnappers across the Country.”
He noted that this is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes within the period.
He said that “troops also rescued a total of 729 kidnapped victims across the Country.”
Furthermore, within the period in focus, troops made a cumulative total recoveries of thirteen million, two hundred and one thousand, three hundred (13,201,300)litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and three million, nine hundred and sixty-nine thousand (3,969,000)litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene.
Also, 38,582 barrels and six million, four hundred and ninety-one thousand (6,491,000) litres of stolen crude oil as well as eleven million, six hundred and fifty-nine thousand, five hundred(11,659,500)litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit were recovered and handed appropriately.
Additionally, a total of 912 criminal elements were arrested, while large cache of arms and ammunition as well as livestock among other items of economic and security concerns were recovered by the troops during the period.
He said “gleaning from the available information presented, there is no gain saying that their operational performance for the year 2021 shows their commitment to ensure peace is restored in the Country.”
Also, it shows the synergy between the Nigerian military and other Security Agencies is succeeding in tackling the security challenges facing the Country.
He said that they will continue to sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in Nigeria.
The Military High Command has commended all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the Country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment. Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in securing the Country.
Lateefah Ibrahim
