The Defence Headquarters has assured Nigerians that the military is working assiduously to address the security situation both in the immediate and long term, with modalities to ensure safety of lives and properties in the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba gave the assurance while briefing Journalists on ongoing military operations in different parts of the country in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
General Buba said that “the military are redoubling their efforts to ensure citizens live in a peaceful environment and have a prosperous life.”
He noted that this is achievable and the military are focused on achieving it.
The Director said that “for this reason, the military are constantly rejigging the operational strategies in order to adopt the best course of action that would make these ugly experiences a thing of the past in the country”.
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According to him, the armed forces would destroy the cancer of terrorism that is ravaging the country thereby creating situations such as is ongoing in Plateau State.
He said that “the situation of insecurity that the country is confronted with is self-inflicted by its own citizens upon one another”.
Accordingly, they have deployed Special Forces to some of the hotspots in order to conduct targeted operations.
“We have also deployed several battlefield enablers to enhance intelligence and strike capability on these terrorists. We are encouraging the warring factions to shield their swords,” he added.
As for the FCT and environs, he said offensive operations are ongoing at Cashew Forest, Kwaku, Gwombe, Gadoro and Tukuba all in Kuje Area Council. Other areas covered were Kawu, Igu, Tokulo, Gaba, Zuma 1 and Zuma 2, Shere, Mpape, Jikoko, Berger Quarry and Nukuchi Villages all in Bwari Area Council of FCT.
He noted that in neighboring states to the FCT such as Niger State, troops are conducting operations in Gauraka, Apo Forest, Gyedna/Sabon Wusa and Garam in Tafa LGA of Niger State.
Additionally, troops covered Numan and Basa in Akwanga and Nasarawa LGAs of Nasarawa State respectively.
“As for the situation in the North Central, tension broke out in MANGU in the early hours of 23 Jan 24. The situation escalated and resulted in breakdown of law and order in MANGU Town and adjoining communities.”
He noted that the crisis which started from GANGARAN KWATA escalated to other parts of MANGU LGA despite concerted efforts by troops deployed to the general area to restore normalcy.
Weekly operations review
In the week under review, General Buba noted that troops neutralised 94 terrorists and arrested 171 of them.
Troops also arrested 43 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 29 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Four Hundred and Eighty-Five Million Nine Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Naira (N485,983,150.00) only.
Furthermore, troops recovered 168 assorted weapons and 2,757 assorted ammunitions. The breakdown as follows: one GPMG, 85 AK47 rifles, one Vektor R4 rifle, one G3 rifle, 10 pump action guns, 12 locally fabricated guns, 6 locally made pistols, 21 dane gun, one double barrel gun, one fabricated revolver rifle, 2 x 36 hand grenades and one fabricated Dane gun.
Others are: 290 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 115 rounds of 5.66mm ammo, 29 rounds of PKT ammo, 10 rounds of 9mm ammo, 297 cartridges, 21 magazines, 14 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones, 2 baofeng radios and the sum of N2,594,000.00 amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 16 dugout pits, 51 boats, 49 storage tanks and 3 vehicles. Other items recovered include 38 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and 31 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 363,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 198,315 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,200 litres of PMS.
He said “everyone should understand that the terrorists and their cohorts exist for the sake of war and therefore for the sake of peace, they must be eliminated”.
He noted that all hands must be on deck, in villages, communities and environments to ensure that the security forces are supported with necessary information to win the war.
Meanwhile, a minute silence was observed for officers that lost their lives in defending their father land and others in the country.
