How Troops Neutralize Terrorists in their Numbers across Militay Operations

By Anthonia Okwuolise, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters has revealed that troops recorded greater milestone in the fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the country; arrested 182 terrorists and neutralized so many of them.

This revelation was made by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, on Thursday, 26 October 2023 while briefing journalists on the operational activities of the troops in the ongoing counterinsurgency in various theaters of operations.

Major General Buba informed that troops have arrested 14 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. He said this feat was achieved in collaboration with foreign partners. He added that the Nigerian troops succeeded in blocking oil theft worth the sum of one billion, two hundred and twelve million, forty-six thousand, and one hundred and forty naira (N1, 212,046,140.00) only.

Furthermore, he stated that troops recovered 119 assorted weapons and 1,537 assorted ammunition.

Specifically, Major General Buba explained that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered 6 AK47 rifles loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm, special ammo, fabricated rifles, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special, and 43 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amongst others.

He stated that troops also neutralized 2 terrorists and arrested 99, while rescuing 15 kidnapped hostages.

Giving some graphic details, Major General Buba informed that
troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 10 terrorists, and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.

“On 24 October 2023, troops on patrol made contact with a bandit in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized one bandit and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 125 rounds of 7.62 nm Special ammo, 2 RPG bombs, and 9 motorcycles.

“Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 11 of them, and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. The troop also recovered 13 AK47 rifles, one Dane gun, one fabricated rifle, 2 RPGs, 253 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and a bag containing 375 rounds of 7.62mm special among other items.

“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 8 dugout pits, 16 boats, 29 storage tanks, 37 cooking ovens, and 26 illegal refining sites among other items. Troops recovered 962,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 23,045 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,100 litres of DPK, and 4,500 litres of PMS.

“Troops also neutralized one criminal and apprehended 14 suspected oil thefts among others. On 17 October 2023, following reports on the possible location of one abducted Inspector of Nigerian Police, troops conducted a Search and Rescue operation to Oru West and East LGA of Imo State,” he said.

He further stated that troops in the oil rich Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, four outboard engines, and 63 illegal refining sites.

In conclusion, Major General Buba enthused: “One of the top priorities of the armed forces is to secure the country and protect citizens from harm caused by this terrorist and extremist across the country.

“Accordingly, the military is actively working to achieve this mandate, that terrorists and extremists alike are now perplexed and suffocated, with little or no hiding place for them to take solace.

“Nevertheless, one thing is certain that the operation is just one of several others to flush out the terrorists.

According to him, the message is clear to all, adding “you are either on the side of Nigerians and the armed forces or against us in the fight against terrorists and extremists.”

In a related development, the Public Relations and Information Officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said troops recorded tremendous success through an air strike across the border, which killed many terrorists.

He disclosed that the Federal government has assisted the military by purchasing more platforms and the NAF is still expecting more platforms.

After the briefing, a minute silence was observed in honour of gallant soldiers who paid the supreme price in the course of their duties.