DHQ Seeks More Citizens Support for the Military, as Troops Neutralise 191 Terrorists, Arrests 184 Criminals, 22 Suspected oil Thieves

By Anthonia N. Okwuolise, Abuja.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has during her biweekly press briefing appealed to Nigerians to support the military as troops presently engage in several operations across the 6 geopolitical zones.

Speaking at the briefing, on Thursday 27th September, 2023, the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, added that perpetrators of the insecurity are not ghost, but humans with families and relations, who hailed from villages and communities across the country.

Major General Buba further said that the strategic military operations across the country is targeted at reducing to the barest minimum, nefarious activities of violent extremist groups fomenting insecurity in the country.

He informed that troops have denied the perpetrators of insecurity the freedom of action after neutralizing 191 terrorists, arrested a total number of 184 criminals, 22 suspected oil thieves and also rescued 91 kidnapped hostages, even as terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across all theaters of Operation.

According to him, troops also denied oil theft of an estimated sum of Three Hundred and Eighty Eight Million Four Hundred and Sixty Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N388,469,650.00).

He noted that these criminals are not ghosts, but from the society, destroying the peace and civic activities for their personal gain.

General Buba therefore urged Nigerians not to hide any of them, and not to join forces with terrorists but support the military effort to flush them out of the society.

He urged Nigerians to always see something, say something.

The Director Defence Media Operations disclosed that the terrorists way and mode of operation has been decoded.

“We know these security challenges are fomented just for the self enrichment of the perpetrators.”

“Consequently, our message to these individuals or groups, is that the ilitary laser-focused on pursuing peace and security in the country.

“Our mission against terrorist, insurgents and perpetrators of insecurity in the country is not one that should be seen as the exclusive preserve of just the military alone.Experience reveals that, military means alone can not neutralise terrorism and insurgency.

“This underscores the need for our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war to remain a reflection of a whole of society’s commitment.

“Indeed, while we all are from one locality or another, not everyone can be in the military. There are several ways society can show their commitment in support of the overall objective to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country. Importantly, The such commitment should reflect and align with the will of the people.”

Continuing, General Buba, revealed that troops recovered 209 assorted weapons and 2,894 assorted ammunition.

He gave the breakdown as follows: 46 AK47 rifles, 8 G3 rifle, one SMG, one PKT gun, 11 locally made rifles, 8 dane gun, 2 locally made revolvers, 9 locally fabricated Ak47 rifles, one locally made SMG, 2 high grade military rifles, 3 locally made IED launchers, 3 locally made pistols, one x 36 hand grenade, IEDs, 5 Ak47 rifles loaded with 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 837 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 289 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 275 rounds of 9mm ammo and 43 live cartridges.

Also, one unserviceable FN rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 32 magazines, 3 G3 magazines, 45 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO ammo, daggers, 15 cutlasses, 14 vehicles, 9 motorcycles, 7 bicycles, 4 fragmental jackets, one tripod, 2 boafeng radios, 24 mobile phones and the sum of N55,798,105.00.”he added

Furthermore, General Buba disclosed that troops in the Niger Delta region uncovered and destroyed 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, 3 tapping hoses, 4 drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machine, 3 outboard engines and 34 illegal refining sites.

Troops also recovered 696,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 54,400 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,200 litres PMS.

He assured that the armed forces remain unperturbed by the evil machinations of these extremist groups.

“Their nefarious tactics have been exposed for what it truly is, which is a mere ploy to self-enrichment through killings.

“Our message to these individuals and groups, is that we have clocked your game and are laser-focused on pursuing peace, by the pursuit of those that threaten the peace in the country”.

He therefore repeatedly appealed to Nigerians; when you see something, say something.