The Theatre Command of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Ibrahim Ali has graduated 122 local vigilantes trained to assist the security agencies to ensure security of hinterland Communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, South West, Nigeria.
The development is part of Civil-military measures towards ensuring security of lives and property in the troubled parts of Kaduna State.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this during bi-weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
General Ali urged the trained vigilantes to be good ambassadors of their communities and discharge their duties effectively devoid of sentiment.
He stressed the need to imbibe the tenets of equality, fairness and neutrality in discharging their duties.
Furthermore, the Commander held peace meetings at the Headquarters of Operation SAFE HAVEN with Bemood Fulani Stakeholders, to sustain peace in the area.
According to him, ”the meeting was centred on the killing and rustling of Cattle at Kuru area in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, he urged the herders to be patient as efforts are ongoing to recover the rustled cows.”
In attendance were the Chairman Riyom Local Government Area, Member representing Riyom in the State House of Assembly, Miyetti Allah members and other community leaders from Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Operation Hadin Kai
The Director noted that troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force at Amdaga, Balazola, Ndakaine, Jango, Sabah and Gobara in Gwozaq Local Government Area of Borno State cleared terrorists hideout during the encounter, the terrorists fled in disarray due to the superior fire power of own troops abandoning their properties and family members.
Also, troop conducted patrol along Old Marter road in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State recovered a dump truck vehicle belonging to Borno State Road Maintenance Agency that was stolen by the terrorists.
Similarly, troops on fighting patrol along Ashigashiya, Kodele, and Apagaluwa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State encountered terrorists herders who engaged troops in a fierce gun battle, the terrorists fled due to troops superior fire power while troops recovered 40 sheeps during exploitation.
Within the weeks under review, troops also conducted robust, aggressive patrol, ambushes and clearance operations in Borno State, North East, Nigeria.
Furthermore, they repelled attacked by terrorists at Firm Base Arege in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State and during the attacked troops responded with superior fire power and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists while other fled in disarray.
Cumulatively, troops recovered 10 AK 47 rifles, 5 AK 56 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 7 AK 47 magazines, 1 PKM gun. 1 AA gun, 164 rounds of AA ammunition, 111 Shilka ammunition, 1 gun truck, 1 shilka barrel, 2 dane guns, 2 Improvised Explosive Device, 1 car engine, 4 trolley and one water pump machine.
General Onyeuko said that “troops also rescued 100 terrorists family members which included 33 women and also neutralised 14 terrorists and arrested 15”.
Accordingly, all arrested, rescued terrorist families and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Operation Hadarin Daji
He noted that ”troops in Operation HADARIN DAJI theatre of operations sustained aggressive and clearance operations to deny terrorist and other criminal elements further freedom of action.”
According to him, following credible information about terrorists heading towards Dampo village in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops mobilised and laid in wait at bandit crossing point, gun battle ensued between the bandits and own troops, bandits fled in disarray due to superior fire power following the attack troops recovered 292 cattle and 1 camel.
Also, following credible intelligence report, troops arrested a notorious foreigner Jabe Buba a terrorist informant at Garuwa village in Tambuwa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Pictures and video of him posting rifles in the forest were found on a phone and cash of N130,000.00 was recovered from him.
Consequently, within the weeks under review troops recovered 9 AK 47 rifles, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, 458 rustled cattle 20 motorcycles, troops also rescued 152 civilians, neutralised 18 bandits and apprehended 25 bandits. Accordingly, all arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Operation Whirl Stroke
General Onyeuko said that “troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted several operations and responded to a distress call on a kidnapping incident along Road Zakibia-Ugba, and made contact with the criminals”.
According to him, after a gun battle, the leader of the group, one Mr Odada and 2 other kidnappers who were all dressed in military uniform were neutralized.
He said that “troops rescued a victim, Mr Chimaobi Omemma a businessman and items recovered include 1 AK 47 rifle, 3 fully loaded magazines (90 rounds of 7.62mm special), 1 Toyota Corolla vehicle and an ATM card bearing Felix Terzenqwe”.
All recovered items are still in custody.
Similarly, a distress call was received of a bandit terrorizing local at Bowa in Doma Local Government Area of Nassarawa State. After a hot pursuit, one Mr Adamu Akure was captured at Ijiwo junction in Rukubu.
Items recovered include 1 locally made pistol, several cartridges amongst others.
The arrested criminal is presently under interrogation, he added.
Also, a notorious gun runner, Mr Morris Ayitu was arrested after a raid at his residence in Abirisi in Guma Local Government Area also arrested are his wife and an accomplice Mr Julius Aseni.
Operation Octopus Grip
General Onyeuko noted that troops in Operations OCTOPUS GRIP theatre of operation have sustained pressure on economic saboteurs and other criminal elements which have significantly reduced the oil thieves freedom of action.
According to him, Operation OCTOPUS GRIP in conjunction with Operation DELTA SAFE conducted operational activities in creeks, towns and communities in locations in Delta State.
Cumulatively, within the period under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refineries, 165 metal storage tanks, 72 ovens, 23 dug out pits, 5 wooden boats.
Also, recovered are 107,400 litres of crude oil, 456,450 litres of AGO, 6,250 litres of PMS, 6 trucks, 3outbound engines, 1AK 47 rifles, troops also apprehended 21 criminal elements.
All recovered items and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action, he said.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command appreciated the general public for their support, stressing that National Security is a collective responsibility for every Nigerian.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
