Military Neutralized 99 Terrorists, Arrests 198 of them, While 139 Kidnap Hostages Rescued Across Theatre Operations - DHQ

From Jossy Gideon, Abuja

The Military says, its troops during operational activities has neutralized 99 Terrorists, arrested 198 of them while 139 of kidnapped hostages were alao rescued.

He said, the troops also destroyed a large number of terrorist infrastructure and  continue to degrade their military capability. 

Director, Defence Media Operations, DHQ,Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday during its bio-weekly media briefing held in Abuja

According to him, Troops conducted operations to curb the violent activities in the NorthEast, NorthWest and NorthCentral zones, as well as the sundry crimes in the SoithWest zone.  

He said, in the SouthEast Zone, troops conducted offensive actions against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) as well as other miscreants engaged in diverse violent activities. While in the South South Zone, troops curtailed the sabotage of the nation’s oil infrastructure and theft of crude oil.

He continued that, the war against terrorist, insurgent, violent extremists and others creating insecurity in the country wages on, and the military is progressing towards it goal of total destruction of these elements. "In this war, the military is learning every day how to better deal with the threat posed by these groups

"We are maximizing the substantial advantage that we have such as air superiority and aerial cover for the ground forces. The joint operational environment is witnessing  communication and coordination of fires between ground and aerial assets to decimate the enemy on the ground". He noted

Maj. Gen. Buba further disclosed that the troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 139 kidnapped hostages. In the SouthSouth,  also denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Eighteen Million Four Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,018,483,900.00).

"Troops recovered 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 49 AK47 rifles, one josef magnum pump action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 single barrel guns, 9 locally made pistols, 13 dane guns, one hand grenade, 7 locally made rifles, 3 RPG chargers, 2 locally made hand grenades.

" Others are: 347 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 966 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 58 live cartridges, 50 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 30 magazines, 27 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, 34 motorcycles and sum of N717,580.00 amongst other items". He disclosed.

He said Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 245 dugout pits, 31 boats, 69 storage tanks, 23 vehicles, 162 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 3 outboard engine, one tricycle and 50 illegal refining sites.  Troops recovered 578,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 454,330 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,000 litres of DPK.

Maj Gen Buba, however said the military is ready, capable and eager to continue its mission of securing the country by the destruction of terrorist, extremist and insurgents.

"Given that there are several lines of operation in  countering insurgency. It is pertinent to state that combat operations against these insurgents, terrorists and extremists remains  one line of action . 

"It is for this reason that the armed forces is calling on Nigerians for support, particularly in the area of  public opinion. We have to show  support for our troops to win this war. 

"The gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to put themselves in harms way to ensure the safety and security of citizens. We have to exhibite patriotism and encourage them in our public discuss. 

"The leadership of the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff , General  CG Musa, is open to workable ideas to improve ongoing operations". He said