Troops Rescue 16 Civilians As 876 Terrorists Surrender In North-east Nigeria

 

Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI have rescued 16 abducted civilians while a total of 876 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists surrendered to troops in North-east, Nigeria.

The Director Dof defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami made this known during the Bi-Weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, saying the briefing covered the period between 18th of May to 1st of June, 2023.

General Danmadami noted that the surrendered terrorists and members of the families of 89 adult males, 249 adult females and 538 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operations.

He said that “troops also neutralized 26 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, including 1 suicide bomber, arrested 22 Terrorist logistics supplier, 2 Terrorist spy/informants, and captured 1 Boko Haram Terrorist fighter as well as apprehended 3 armed robbers and 52 suspected criminals.”

“All recovered items, arrested suspected criminals and rescued kidnapped civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action, while the surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, were profiled and documented for further action,” he said.

According to him, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE equally conducted operational activities at different locations within the Joint Area of Operation.

General Danmadami noted that troops on fighting patrol at Katakpa in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State made contact with terrorists, following a firefight troops neutralized 1 terrorist while others fled in the nearby bushes.

He said; “Troops further exploited the general area and recovered 1 pump action gun, 2 locally made guns, 28 cartridges, 1 motorcycle and 1 mobile phone. In the same vein, on 27 May 2023, following a tip tip-offers raided a suspected kidnapper’s hideout at Igumale village in Ado Local Government Area of Benue State. During the operation, troops arrested 3 suspected kidnappers and recovered the sum of N284,820.00 only, 5 mobile phones, 1 motorcycle, 1 MP player and other sundry items.”

Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in the North Central zone of the country recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 dane guns, 1 pump action gun, 2 locally made guns, 95 rounds of 7.62mm special, 39 cartridges and 5 AK47 magazines.

Others include; 403 rustled cattle, 1 truck, 2 vehicles, 8 mobile phones, 4 motorcycles, 2 walkie-talkie radio, 2 knives, 1 dagger and the sum of N284,820.00 only.

“Troops also neutralized 7 bandits, apprehended 35 suspected criminals and rescued 14 kidnapped civilians. All recovered items, apprehended suspected criminals and rescued kidnapped civilians have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action,” he explained.

The Director noted that troops of Operations DELTA SAFE and other operations have sustained the tempo in the war against oil theft, illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the South-South region of the country through aggressive raid patrol as well as clearance operations among others.

Notably, troops on routine patrol arrested a suspected renowned cultist and armed robber alleged to be a member of ICELAND confraternity at Ikot Andem Community in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, “It was revealed that the suspect had been terrorizing the Ikot Andem community and its environs and was also on the wanted list of the security agents.”

“On the same day, troops raided a suspected drug baron hideout at Onna and Etinan Local Government area of Akwa Ibom State and following the operations, troops arrested 4 suspects are have recovered wraps of substances suspected to be marijuana, 3 pinches of substance suspected to be heroin, 4 pinches of substance suspected to cocaine, 177 pinches of amphetamines, 1 mobile phone and the sum of N17,300.00 only.”

Equally, between 19 and 23 May 2023, troops responded to information on cult activities within some communities in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.

“Troops mobilized to the location but the criminals fled on sighting the troops. Troops went in pursuit of the cultist and arrested 6 suspected criminals and recovered 1 locally made pistol, knives, 3 rounds of locally made pistol ammo and some assorted substances suspected to be hard drugs. Troops also raided the hideout of suspected cultists at Ikpa Nkanya Eyo Edem area in Akpabuyo and Bakassi Local Government Areas of the same state and arrested a cult leader and 10 cult members. During the operations, troop’s recovered 1 dane gun with 4 cartridges, some face masks, 13 stolen mobile phones and 2 cutlasses,” General Danmadami said.

Similarly, troops of Operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted several operational activities and buggies operations at the creeks, jetty, high sea and towns at different locations within Bayelsa, Delta and River State respectively.

During these operations, troops discovered and destroyed 47 illegal refining sites, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats.

Troops also recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 5 vehicles, 12 weapons, 296 ammunition, 1 pumping machine, 4 outboard engines and arrested 24 economy saboteurs.

Cumulatively, within the weeks in focus troops in the South-south recovered 186,000 litres of crude oil, 42,750 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 4,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 200 litres Dual Purpose Kerosine, 250 storage tanks, 220 ovens, 32 dugout pits and 31 wooden boats, 1 gas welding cylinder, 1 pocking gas, 2 gas burners, 2 gas gauge, 2 adjustable spanners, 1 pumping machine, 4 outboards engines, 300 ammunition, 15 AK47 magazines, 211 mobile phones, 3 vehicles, 100 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa, 3 and 4 pinches of substance suspected to be heroin and cocaine, 177 pinches of amphetamines and the sum of N17,300.00 only.

Troops also arrested 65 suspected criminals. All recovered items and apprehended suspected criminals have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

Equally, it is worth to mention a total of N604, 401,127.00 only were denied the oil thefts.

Meanwhile, the Military High Command has commended the unrelenting efforts of the troops and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations across the country.

It appreciated the general public for the support given to the members Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations across the country.

The Command also urged them to continue to provide prompt and credible information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas to the security agencies.

One minute silence was observed for those officers and other security agents that paid the supreme price in the cause of their duties.

 

 

 

Mercy Chukwudiebere