The Defence Headquarters says 1,332 terrorists have surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai in North East Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami disclosed this during the Bi-Weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital saying that the briefing covered the period of 23rd February to 9th of March, 2023.
General Danmadami said that “the surrendered terrorists and their family members comprising 222 adult males, 411 adult females and 699 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of Operations”.
Profiles for further action
He noted that all recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered terrorists and members of their families were being profiled for further action.
According to him, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorist enclaves and logistics in support of ground operations.
Notably, intelligent report revealed terrorist converging with plans to attack some locations in Kauwa, Gamboru and Monguno in Borno State in a bid to disrupt the 2023 general elections.
Consequently, “series of air interdiction operations was carried out at these identified locations. Feedback revealed that the airstrike dealt with terrorists, as several terrorists were neutralized with their logistics destroyed”, he said.
The Director noted that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP and other operations discovered and destroyed 74 illegal refining sites, 341 storage tanks, 31 wooden boats, 260 ovens and 15 dugout pits in the South South of the country.
He said that “troops also recovered 209,000 litres of crude oil, 145,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 27 variety of weapons, 468 assorted ammunition, 2 speed boats, 2 outboard engine, 8 vehicles and 4 motorcycles while a total of 71 criminals were arrested within the weeks in focus”.
According to him, all recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action
He said that “the sum of One Hundred Seventy Three Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N173,985,650.00) only were denied oil thieves”.
According to him, operations were conducted at the creeks, waterways, high sea, towns and cities of Bayelsa, Delta, River State, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state respectively, which yielded appreciable results.
Suspected cult leader
Precisely, on 25 February 2023, troops on fighting patrol at Obudu town, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State arrested a suspected cult leader of Vikings confraternity at his residence.
Equally, following credible intelligence, troops on patrol at Ikono and Ogoja Local Government Areas of Cross River State intercepted 2 buses and arrested 11 suspected criminals as well as recovered 5 pistols, 4 locally made pistols, 26 cartridges, 1 dane gun and 2 machetes.
General Danmadami noted also that troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation UDO KA in the South East zone of the country have sustained the fight against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist, aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the zone.
Notably, on 24 and 25 February 2023, troops on patrol within Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State intercepted a bus and arrested 4 suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist.
He said that “troops recovered 4 pump action rifles, 6 pistols, 27 cartridges, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 3 mobile phones, 2 lighters, 3 car keys and the sum of N3,100.00 only”.
Equally, on 27 February 2023, troops while on patrol along road Abakaliki – Enugu intercepted a vehicle at Ntezi village in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and arrested 10 suspected criminals. Troops recovered 1 locally fabricated pistol, drug kits, 1 cutlass, 1 knife, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N200,000.00 only.
Cumulatively, within the weeks in review, troops recovered 4 pump action rifles, 7 pistols, 27 cartridges, 36 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1 cutlass, 1 knife, 3 cars keys, 9 mobile phones and the sum of N203,100.00.
The briefing had the Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau and other Spokes persons of the Armed Forces of Nigeria amongst others.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command has commended the unrelenting efforts of troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country and the entire populace is appreciated, for the support given to the members Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations across the country, while also urging them to continue to provide prompt and credible information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.
Lateefah Ibrahim
