The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation HADIN KAI have neutralized a total of 51 terrorists and arrested 19 terrorists at different locations across the theatre of operations in Borno state, North East, Nigeria.
The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General
Bernard Onyeuko, who disclosed this during the bi-weekly news
briefing in Abuja, said the achievements were recorded between December 9 and 23, 2021 through the professionalism of Nigerian Armed Forces.
General Onyeuko also stated that a total of 122 assorted arms and 1, 499 rounds of different calibres of ammunitions were recovered while a total of eight gun trucks of the terrorists were destroyed.
Additionally, troops’ kinetic and non-kinetic operations have continued to drive the terrorists out of their camps into surrendering.
Within the period in focus, a total of 1, 081 terrorists and their families comprising 187 adult males, 326 adult females and 568 children surrendered to their troops at different locations of the theatre.
He said “the surrendered terrorists were properly profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for necessary actions”.
The Acting Director noted that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI with the support of the Air Component launched deliberate attacks on identified bandits’ hideouts; successfully repelled armed bandits and robbers’ attacks on civilians in different villages; rescued victims and recovered assorted arms, ammunitions and other items at different locations.
Recovered items
General Onyeuko also added that 37 assorted arms, including AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns and GPMGs as well as 698 rounds of different calibres of ammunitions, 22 motorcycles and 899 rustled livestock among other items and vehicles were recovered; while 28 kidnapped civilians were rescued in the course of the operations.
Additionally, 59 extra magazines of assorted arms and 21 motorcycles were recovered from bandits.
According to him, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have successfully repelled armed bandits’ attacks and arrested child traffickers, cattle rustlers, kidnappers as well as armed bandits and robbers.
Onyeuko said “troops also recovered several arms, ammunition and livestock during raid operations on criminal elements’ hideouts as well as repelled kidnappers and gunmen attacks at different locations across the theatre within the period”.
Cumulatively, a total of 15 criminal elements were arrested, 12 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while 118 livestock, 18 assorted arms and 112 different calibres of ammunition among other items were recovered in the course of the operations, all in Plateau State, North Central, Nigeria.
The General said “troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have neutralized a total of 12 criminals while 26 criminal elements including 16 migrant armed bandits from Niger Republic were arrested”.
Also, 16 different types of arms and 61 different calibres of ammunition were recovered, while 13 kidnapped civilians were rescued within the period under review.
In addition, troops within the period held peace and security meetings with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.
According to him, troops of Operation SAFE have successfully repelled armed bandits’ attacks and arrested child traffickers, cattle rustlers, kidnappers as well as armed bandits and robbers.
He said “troops also recovered several arms, ammunition and livestock during raid operations on criminal elements’ hideouts as well as repelled kidnappers and gunmen attacks at different locations across the theatre within the period”.
Onyeuko said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operational efforts resulted in the neutralization and arrest of armed bandits and other criminal elements, recovery of arms and ammunition as well as rescue of kidnapped civilians in Nasarawa State.
Cumulatively, a total of 12 criminals were neutralized, while 26 criminal elements including 16 migrant armed bandits from Niger Republic were arrested. Also, 16 different types of arms and 61 different calibres of ammunition were recovered, while 13 kidnapped civilians were rescued within the period under review.
Operation THUNDER STRIKE/WHIRL PUNCH
Operation THUNDER STRIKE/WHIRL PUNCH theatres were relatively calm within the period in focus.
Onyeuko noted that during the encounter, troops neutralized some armed bandits and recovered their weapons and motorcycles.
Similarly, incidents of security concern were recorded at Hayin Gada and Rugan Alhaji Ori villages in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, during which some arms and ammunition were recovered and some of the bandits were arrested. Cumulatively, a total of four armed bandits were neutralized, six criminal elements arrested and nine assorted armed, two extra AK-47 rifles magazines, 13 rounds of ammunition and six motorcycles were recovered in the course of the operations within the period.
Operation Delta Safe
Operation DELTA SAFE troops sustained anti-illegal oil production operations and other non-kinetic operations to forestall activities of vandals and other economic saboteurs in the South – South Zone.
Some of these operations were executed at different locations in villages, creeks and towns in Ikwere, Port Harcourt, Emouha, Ahoada East and Bonny LGAs of Rivers State.
Consequently, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 14 illegal refining sites, 19 ovens, 13 cooking pots/boilers, 15 cooling systems, 15 reservoirs, 5 large dugout pits and 33 storage tanks in the Niger Delta Region.
A total of 896,500 litres and 70 polythene bags of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered in the process.
Also, a total of 11,000 litres of illegally refined Dual Purpose Kerosene and 689,000litres of stolen crude oil were recovered in the course of the operations.
In addition, 28 pieces of galvanized pipes, three tanker trucks and 12 wooden boats used for illegal oil bunkering activities were recovered and handled appropriately in the course of the operations. All the arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further action.
The Military High Command has commended all the gallant troops and encouraged them to remain resolute and decisive in securing the Country.
Nneka Ukachukwu
