The Nigerian Military both Air Assets and land have taken over with constant patrols to curb kidnapping and banditry across the country.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this during the bi-weekly news Briefing in Abuja.
Brigadier General Onyeuko said the results was recorded between 29th October to 11 November, 2021.
He said “the troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results”.
The Acting Director noted that the sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering.
According to him, some of these operations were executed at different locations in Borno and Yobe States, including; Rann, Dalayazara, GwangeKura, Bam Buratai, amongst other roads.
“In the course of these operations within the period of 2 weeks, 31 terrorists were neutralized and 71 of them arrested including 2 women logistics suppliers namely Mrs Aisha Umar 19 years with a child of 2 years and Mrs Kaltumi Bakura 20 years all resident at IDP Camp in Bama”.
“Also, a total of 122 assorted weapons recovered. Additionally, a total of 97 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while a total of 1,186 of BHT elements and their families comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in Borno State”, he said.
He explained that all recovered items have been handed appropriately and rescued victims reunited with their families, while arrested and surrendered terrorists have been profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.
Extensive Land and Air Operations
The Acting Director noted that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review as these operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino Town in Kebbi State.
“Cumulatively, a total of 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 armed bandits were neutralised and 6 kidnapped civilians were rescued; while 12 assorted arms and 77 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions were recovered within the period of 2 weeks.
“Additionally, troops held peace and security meeting with community and youth leaders and other critical Stakeholders, as a non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges in the North West Zone of the Country,” he explained.
Continuos Vigilance
According to him, troops of Operation Safe Haven have maintained continuous vigilance and dominated the entire theatre with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He said that “the general security situation in the Zone was relatively calm within the period in focus; however, some locations recorded pockets of incidents. Some of these incidents were recorded at; Boi village in Mangu LGA; Rikko, Gangere and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North LGA; Heipang village in BarkinLadi LGA and Gumsher village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State”.
Other locations were; Gurawa village under Kundum District in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State as well as Jankasa village in ZangonKataf LGA, Wasa Station in Sanga LGA and Agban village in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. These operations led to therecovery of 7 assorted arms, 19rounds of 7.62mm and104livestock among other items.
General Onyeuko noted that troops’ response to distress calls helped to repel and forestall criminal elements and their activities, thereby leading to the rescue of 33 victims of armed bandits’ attacks and kidnap incidents and the arrest of 23 criminal elements within the period.
Furthermore, Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operations by engaging youths in sporting activities.
They also conducted Peace and Unity Marathon Competition organised by troops in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
He said “a total of 160 participants from diverse religious and ethnic groups within Plateau State took part in the competition. At the end trophies and prices were presented to participant in the different categories”.
According to him, Operation WHIRL STROKE has continued to maintain operational tempo in both its kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the North Central Zone which yielded significant results.
Clearance and Raid Operations
He stated that within the period under review, clearance and raid operations were carried out at Gbise, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, among others in Nasarawa State.
“Cumulatively, a total of 19 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, 2 locally-made pistols and 6 extra rifle magazines as well as79 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Other weapons recovered were 36 hand grenades, pump action as well as locally-made rifles and ammunition.
“Also, a total of 9 armed bandits were arrested and 3 kidnapped civilians rescued, 2 armed bandits were killed in the course of the operations”, he said.
Peace and Security Meetings
Furthermore, troops held peace and security meetings with community youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies in Taraba State as well as Buruku town in Benue State.
Onyeuko explained that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted land, maritime and air operations in the South-South Zone, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.
He said within the period, several anti-illegal oil production and raid operations were executed at different locations in the Zone that yielded significant results and in the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites.
These feats were recorded in Brass, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State; while in Delta State, some significant achievements were recorded in Sapele, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs.
Attendant results were also recorded in Ahoada, Onne, Elele, Isiokpo, Emoha, Port Harcourt, IsongEnwang, Akwa Ibom State, Bonny andIkwere LGAs of Rivers State.
Cumulatively, troops discovered and immobilised a total of 20 illegal refining sites, 62 ovens, 12 cooking pots/boilers,8 cooling systems, 19 reservoirs, 18 large dugout pits and 88 storage tanks.
Additionally, 8 criminal elements, including 2 impostors were arrested and 7arms and 3 rounds of ammunition, among other items were recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone.
Additionally, troops rescued 13 kidnapped civilians within the period.
Consequently, a total of 1,252,250 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,140,340ltrs of stolen crude were recovered in the course of the operations.
Furthermore, troops neutralised 3 armed robbers and rescued 2 kidnapped civilians; while 5 criminal elements associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.
The Military High Command commended the sacrifices of its troops and salute their courage and resilience towards achieving sustainable peace in Nigeria
