Military repels BH attack, eliminate scores, recover caches of firearms in Borno

......As Several Illegal Refineries Destroyed In Niger Delta

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja.

The Armed Forces of Nigerian in its operations last week repelled terrorists’ attack on a convoy of vehicles conveying IDPs from Maiduguri city to Baga town in Borno State during which several Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province fighters were killed in the process by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.

They also sustained its fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the South South zone with its attendant successes including some other major significant strides recorded across the country.

Coordinator,Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, confirmed this on Friday in Abuja, while giving an update on the armed forces of Nigeria operations from 22 to 29 October 2020, said 3 terrorists were killed, some arms and ammunition recovered during the encounter while some levels of destruction of several illegal refineries and recovery of stolen crude oil has been recorded by the troops under the week.

Gen. Enenche explained that, the Land Component of Operation Lafiya Dole under the subsidiary operation Fire Ball conducted several robust operations, executed attacks on terrorists’ hideouts, and repelled attacks on own troops’ locations.

According to him, the superior firepower of own troops decimated several BHT/ISWAP terrorist elements, while 13 of their fighters were killed in contact at Mallam Fatori, Ngwuri Gana and Jumacheri towns in Borno State. Saying Damboa about 22 of the terrorists were eliminated.

He further explained that large caches of arms and ammunition as well as materials meant to produce IEDs and 2 gun-trucks were captured from the terrorists.

Explaining further, Enenche said, a cattle rustler/kidnapper at Takum Village in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State was also arrested within the period under review.

“Similarly, 2 kidnappers, namely, Yahaya Mohammed and Juli Ardo were arrested at Zalau Village in Toro Local Government and Lariki Village in Kirfi Local Government Area, all in Bauchi State,”he added.

The DMO Co-ordinator revealed that, all the apprehended criminal elements were handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authorities for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

According to him, about 13 suspected bandits’ collaborators have been arrested at Tangaza town in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State by security forces and large cache of arms and ammunition have been revovered in the North West zone within the period under review.

Explaining further Enenche said, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Katsina State Command, on 27 October, successfully repelled coordinated attack by bandits on revenge mission on Tsakiya Village of Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

According to him, the troops engaged the bandits in a gun duel killing 5 while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

In another development, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilized 3 illegal refineries containing 8 storage tanks loaded with illegally refined oil products around Tangolo Susu, Oputumbi and Promise Land in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State in the South South zone during last week operation within the zone.

He said, the troops of Operation Delta Safe immobilized several illegal refineries around Edeoha Community in Ahaoda East Local Government Area of the state, while troops of 19 Battalion immobilised an illegal oil depot at Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Enenche also disclosed that troops of operation Delta Safe in conjunction with vigilantes acting on credible intelligence on 23 October arrested one suspected gunrunner with one AK 47 rifle and 2 magazines loaded with 7.62mm special ammunition around Road Elele-Owerri in Rivers State.

“In a related development, troops of 4 Brigade arrested 6 suspected armed robbers with 2 locally made guns, 3 live cartridges, one knife, 3 mobile phones and a stolen vehicle at Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

“Similarly, between 22 and 24 October 2020, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilized 2 illegal refineries, 3 storage tanks and one wooden boat loaded with crude oil around Patrick Waterside, Burukiri and Oputumbi in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State”, he said.

While in the North-Central Zone, Enenche noted that several Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC)activities have been conducted by the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven through holding of fostered stakeholders meetings amongst the various ethnic groups in Plateau State within the period.

The non kinetic operation which was carried out by the military was to further enhance and bring forth peace and harmony amongst the various ethnic groups co-habiting in the various communities.

The operations of the military over the period has recorded tremendous and drastic reduction in the activities of the criminal elements across the country paving the way for human, agricultural and economic activities to thrive as the troops dominate their general areas.