The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says the Air Component of the OPERATION HADARIN DAJI have neutralized 27 terrorists on air interdiction following intelligent report about the gathering of terrorists possibly for a meeting of their key Commanders and leaders in Katsina State, North West Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko disclosed this to Journalists during bi-weekly briefing of operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
General Onyeuko said that “the feat was achieved through intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft in monitoring activities of the terrorists in the state”.
He noted that it was confirmed that over 50 of the terrorists congregated for the meeting.
According to him, prominent among those neutralized include one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima and a major setback for the group.
Furthermore, another air interdiction was carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, neutralizing scores of the terrorists while those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops.
Cumulatively, the troops neutralized eight bandits, arrested seven bandits, rescued 56 civilians and recovered 1 AK 47 rifles, two generators, three MC, one motorcycle and one pumping machine.
He said that “all arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action”.
Exercise Obangame Express
Onyeuko noted that the Nigerian Navy in conjunction with US AFRICOM organized the 12th Edition of Exercise OBANGAME EXPRESS which was designed to create enabling environment and freedom of Navigation in the Gulf of Guinea.
This is to also create regional collaboration through joint operations and to checkmate illegal economic activities on the coastal water.
During the Exercise, troops patrol vessels intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on the coastal waters; the vessels are FV MAGNOLTA and FV JASMIN.
Also, MT QUEEN OF PEACE was intercepted loaded with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT HARBOUR SPIRIT was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents.
He said that “a total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members were interrogated and five arrested within the Exercise period.
He noted that the overall assessment of the Exercise was adjudged successful as it lived up to it bidding”.
OPERATION DELTA SAFE
The Director explained that troops in the theatre of OPERATIONS DELTA SAFE have in the last two weeks intensified raids operations against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in different communities, towns, villages and creeks in Ajomo Creeks, Koko town in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo, Okpoko river in Warri South Local Government Area, Obiayaga, Eruwaram in Ugeli South Local Government Area, Aker Jetty, Bakana Creek, Afremo, Ogidigben, Obotobo, Saghara Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area, Burutu Creeks, Oboro, Alabgba Biri Communities in Burutu Local Government Area, Warri Sapele road in Urwie Local Government Area all in Delta State.
He noted that other locations are Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Elele, Owerri in Ekwere Local Government Area of River State and Ozoaku Local Government Area of Abia State respectively.
According to him, during the operations, troops also discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refineries, 275 polythene bags containing illegal refined AGO, 146 ovens, 145 receivers, 4 boilers, 125 metal storage tanks, eight GP tanks, 19 drums, 69 50litres jerry cans, 81 galvanized pipes, 85 dugout pits, five warehouses and pots containing illegal refined AGO.
Cumulatively, troops within the period under review neutralized one militant, recovered 6,679,000 litres of illegal refined AGO, 4,436,000 litres of stolen crude oil, one gun boat, one BMG gun, one AK 47 rifle, five MCs, several rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 motorcycles, 20 wooden boats, 15 pumping machines, two trucks, one ford, three speedboats, five engines, one tricycle, five vehicles.
Furthermore, 70 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization and other criminal elements were apprehended. All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
OPERATION HADIN KAI
General Onyeuko emphasized that troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI recorded success as the air components in this theatre of operation conducted air strikes on terrorist within the Lake Chad Region and Tumbuns Close to Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
He noted that during the airstrike, key members of Islamic State of West African Province were neutralized.
Other operations were conducteed in Marsele, Musini, Gwoza, Liman Kara, Mandara, Fadhis, Waitini, Galdekore, Izza, GarinBa’abba, Sambisa forest, Ashigashiya all in Borno State, North East Nigeria.
He said that “the operational achievement include neutralization of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35 terrorists, recovered 34 AK 47, five dane gun, nine locally made guns, 270 rustled cows, three motor cycles, AK 74 and 13 bicyclesused for logistics movement while 7000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram Terrorist from different location surrendered to own troops”.
He said troops also “rescued 27 civilians and the surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action”.
OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
The Director noted that within the period under review, troops conducted clearance operations both in Plateau State and Kaduna State as troops recovered several stolen railway sleepers, three trucks, one J5-seater bus, two AK47 rifles with extra magazines.
Onyeuko said that “troops rescued three civilians, neutralized two bandits and apprehended 19 criminal/bandits”.
All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions, added.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Toops at the frontline of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE conducted raid and clearance operations in different location both in Benue State and Nasarawa State.
Consequently, own troops neutralized 10 bandits, arrested five bandits, recovered one Peugeot Wagon vehicle, some weapons including: double barrel gun, AK47 rifles, three magazines, assorted calibers of ammunitions, 11 motorcycles, three solar panels, two MC, 17 cell phones and dangerous local weapons.
Onyeuko said that “recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions”.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has commended the troops in all theatre of operations for the modest feats recorded and enjoined troops to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost caution respect for human rights of citizens in their respective Area of Responsibilities.
Nneka Ukachukwu
