A total of 38 terrorists have been neutralised, including the Islamic West Africa Province, ISWAP’s new leader, Bako.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko who disclosed this during the bi-weekly news briefing in Abuja, said the results were recorded between 14th to 28th October 2021.
Brigadier General Onyeuko said; “the achievements was as a result of troops of Operation HADIN KAI that have sustained the aggressive posture with zest in the North-east as the Theatre Command conducted series of land and air operations in different locations have not only degraded insurgents, but have contributed to more terrorists surrendering with their families.”
He said also that a total of 11 criminals including terrorists and their informants as well as their logistics suppliers were arrested in the course of these operations.
Additionally, a total of 29 assorted weapons, 166 rounds of assorted ammunition, among other items were recovered.
Furthermore, between 15 and 28 October 2021, a total of 1,199 terrorists and their families, comprising 114 adult males, 312 adult females and 773 children, surrendered to troops at different locations in the North East.
According to him,”within the period, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI dominated the operations theatre with aggressive fighting patrols and other kinetic operations with the support of intensive air operations executed. In the course of these operations, significant achievements were recorded in some locations.”
These include; Gwandu LGA in Kebbi State where some cattle rustlers were arrested.
Cumulatively, a total of 15 kidnapped civilians were rescued; 9 armed bandits neutralised; 11 AK 47 rifles, 43 rounds of ammunition and 86 livestock were recovered as well as 34 armed bandits and other criminal elements were arrested within the period.
The arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for necessary action.
The Acting Director said in Operation SAFE HAVEN, “troops continually maintained vigilance and dominated the operations theatre with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action as this has brought about relative calm in the area of responsibility”.
Onyeuko noted that some kinetic operations within the period led to the arrest of 8 criminal elements.
He said that “the operations also led to the recovery of 13 assorted arms, 291ammunition and 28 livestock among other items”.
Troops’ response to distress calls also helped in repelling and forestalling criminal activities; leading to the rescue of 5 victims kidnapped by armed bandits and the arrest of 5 criminal elements within the period.
According to him, ”Operation SAFE HAVEN carried out non-kinetic operations by conducting security and peace meetings with community leaders and other critical stakeholders within its area of responsibility. Within the period, one of such meetings was held at Kaduna State Government House in Kaduna. ”
Onyeuko noted that operation WHIRL PUNCH/THUNDER STRIKE also sustained its operational activities in parts of the North-west Zone, stressing that within the period in focus, troops with the support of the Air Component stormed some armed bandits’ hideouts during clearance operations at; Chikun LGA, Damba and KangeKadi villages in Kaduna State.
He said “the operations dealt heavy blows on the criminal elements as they suffered heavy casualties from troops’ superior firepower. No fewer than 12 armed bandits were neutralized, 11 AK-47 rifles, 64 rounds of ammunition, 24 livestock among other items were recovered in the course of these operations”.
Additionally, Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunships neutralised no fewer than 50 armed bandits at Saulawa – Farin Ruwa axis in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State. This feat was achieved on the heels of credible intelligence which revealed armed bandits laying ambush against their own advancing ground troops in the location.
Consequently, air strikes were executed on the location in successive turns, leading to the neutralisation of some of the armed elements while some others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Within the period under review, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have continued to record more success in its operations in the North Central Zone. Some of these operations yielded significant results at some locations in the Zone, he said.
Consequently, a total of 35 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, teargas launchers, locally-made pistols and rifles, 25 extra rifle magazines and 431 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period.
Also, a total of 11 armed bandits were arrested and 2 kidnapped civilians rescued in the course of the operations.
Furthermore, troops held peace and security meetings with community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies at the Lau Town Hall in Lau LGA andDogon Gawa Town in Takum LGA of Taraba State. These meetings were also conducted at;Gbise Market Square and Katsina-Ala LGA Headquarters in Katsina-Ala LGA as well as Zaki-Biam community in Ukum LGA of Benue State.
Onyeuko stated that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have remained steadfast in the execution of land, maritime and air operations in the South-South Zone, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements.
He said “in the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites; impounded vessels as well as other equipment and items used for illegal bunkering activities and in some occasions arrested some criminal elements and recovered arms and ammunition.”
Cumulatively, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 27 illegal refining sites,57 ovens, 17 cooking pots/boilers,2 cooling systems, 37 reservoirs, 9 large dugout pits and 27 storage tanks, drums and sacks laden with illegally refined oil products.
Additionally, 9 criminal elements were arrested and one Dane gun, among other items was recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone. Consequently, a total of 788,500litres of illegally refined AGO and 229,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.
Furthermore, troops neutralized 3 armed robbers and rescued 2 civilians kidnapped by the hoodlums; while 5 criminals associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.
Onyeuko said the efforts of Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, both kinetic and non-kinetic, are yielding significant results adding that they will not relent in the fight against all forms of criminalities in the Country.
The Military High Command has commended the continued sacrifices of its troops in the various theatres of operation and appreciate their courage as well as resilience towards achieving sustainable peace in the Country.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
