In a major development, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported a series of successful operations carried out by the country’s armed forces. Over the course of the past nine weeks, troops have managed to neutralize 23 terrorists, apprehend 109 criminals, and detain five kidnappers.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this information in a statement released on Friday. Notably, the operations also resulted in the rescue of 41 individuals who had been kidnapped.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba highlighted that a significant turning point was reached in the North East, where a total of 231 terrorists and their family members chose to surrender to the troops. Among the surrenders were 25 adult males, 63 adult females, and 143 children.
As part of these successful operations, the troops seized a considerable cache of weapons and ammunition. The recovered arsenal included 41 weapons and 300 assorted weapons, featuring 14 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, two AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammunition, and one PKT gun.
In addition to these accomplishments, the DHQ’s efforts led to the arrest of an informant and 22 suspected oil thieves across the country. A range of illicit firearms and equipment were confiscated, encompassing items such as an LMG, two pump action guns, two locally fabricated pistols, three locally fabricated rifles, two Dane guns, one pistol, and two locally made long barrel guns.
Further details outlined in the statement revealed that the troops seized multiple rounds of ammunition, including 7.62mm special, 7.62 NATO, and PKT rounds. The recovery operation also encompassed 13 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machetes, and camouflage attire.
It’s worth noting that operations conducted in the South-South geopolitical zone yielded particularly impressive results. The troops managed to seize 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 23,250 litres of DPK. The estimated value of the confiscated items stands at a staggering N414.3 million, preventing this amount from being funneled into the hands of oil thieves.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba affirmed the military’s unwavering commitment to addressing violent groups that undermine security and stability in the country. He assured the public that the armed forces will persist in their efforts to enhance security, safeguard citizens, and restore tranquility throughout the nation.
