The Nigerian government is deploying all available resources to fight criminal elements across the country and the effort is yielding positive results.
This was disclosed by the country’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed during a press conference alongside the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on Monday in Abuja.
The Minister also revealed that the country was now safer than what it used to be, particularly with respect to Boko Haram terrorist activities in the North East.
While answering a question, Mohammed further stated that before the advent of the present administration, Boko haram terrorists were in control of a swath of territories in the North East, particularly in Borno state.
The Minister who accepted that there are challenges in the area of security still applauded the country’s security agencies for their great performance and urged citizens to continue to support them to do more.
“The police and other security and intelligence agencies are ramping up their efforts to enhance the security of lives and property across the country, and the results are beginning to show…they deserve our commendation and support when they live up to their billing, as they are doing presently,” the Minister said
He added that the successes being recorded by the security and intelligence agencies in fighting insecurity did not come cheap.
“They have come as a result of the unrelenting efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers and men of the military as well as other security and intelligence agencies that conduct operations across the country.”
According to Mohammed, since the beginning of 2021, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have neutralized 158 criminal elements across the country.
“This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes. Some 52 criminal elements were arrested, with scores of arms, ammunition and equipment recovered.
“Troops have also rescued a total of 17 kidnapped victims across the country. In addition, a total of 684,856 barrels of stolen crude oil, 1,724,000 litres of stolen Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) have been recovered.
“A total of 1,184 of 25kg bags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer were impounded by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Many other criminal elements were incapacitated and their camps destroyed.,” the Minister disclosed.
Successes achieved
The Minister also revealed that in the North-West, 118 armed bandits were killed in action and a total of 11 kidnapped victims were rescued since the beginning of the year.
During the same period, the Nigerian government’s spokesman said a cumulative total of 358 livestock and 5 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by the gallant troops in the zone.
“In the same vein, a total of 11 arrests were made, and those arrested include high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandits’ collaborators.”
Moving to the successes recorded in the North-East, he said within the period under review, 30 terrorists, including some of their commanders, were killed by troops, apart from the scores who were killed by air raids/attacks.
“Several gun trucks were captured in addition to the 13 recently captured at Marte in Borno State, while some others were destroyed by the gallant troops.
“Also, a total of 13 assorted rifles and 2 Anti-Aircraft guns were recovered from Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, in addition, several arrests were made – including high-value targets – within the period.
“During the past week, five Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists were eliminated by troops as they attempted to overrun Abbagajiri and Dusula towns in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno.
“The troops, from the 402 Special Forces Task Force Brigade, had on Wednesday encircled some terrorists’ enclaves at Abbagajiri and inflicted heavy casualties on them.”
“Many other terrorists escaped with gunshot wounds, while the troops also captured several guns and some Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-making materials,” he added.
Giving the success records in the North-Central, Mohamed said within the period a total of 6 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 5 armed bandits, including militia gang leaders, were killed in action.
“Equally, 11 armed bandits were arrested in the zone. Only on Saturday, the Air Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE neutralized several armed bandits at Chikwale Forest in the Mangoro area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The operation followed credible intelligence reports indicating the significant presence of armed bandits in the area, which is about 20Km West of the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.”
The Minister said in the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted anti-crude-oil theft and illegal-oil-bunkering operations, in addition to anti-illegal-maritime activities.
“In the course of their operational activities, 24 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 142 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens were destroyed.
“Also, 30 suspects were arrested while 14 pumping machines, 13-speed boats and 13 outboard engines were recovered.
“Additionally, a total of 684,856 barrels of stolen crude oil and 1,724,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), as well as 500,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), were recovered.
“A total of 1,184 of 25kg bags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer suspected to have been smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon were impounded.”
“Similarly, in the South-West, troops of Operation AWATSE destroyed several illegal refining sites and arrested 8 boats engaged in illegal activities,” the Minister stated.
He further disclosed that the issue of the clash between the South West regional security outfit, Amotekun is being addressed presently, using both security and political approaches for the good of all.
In addition to the kinetic military operations, which led to the successes enumerated above, the Minister said the Armed Forces of Nigeria routinely carry out non-kinetic operations in form of Civil-Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC), fostering several stakeholders’ relationship and reconciliation between hostile communities and carrying out medical outreaches in host communities.
When asked about immigration and border control, the Minister of Interior Mr Rauf Aregbesola said Nigeria was investing heavily on modern-technologically driven border control and management system which will soon be in operation to tackle some the challenges.
It would be recalled that in his new year address to the nation , President Mohammadu Buhari promised that the security apparatus and personnel of the armed forces and the police will be re-energized and reorganized, with a view to enhancing their capacity to dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against communities in some parts of the country.
PIAK
