…Arrest 356 criminal elements
In furtherance of operations to curb the activities of criminal elements across the country, troops neutralised 216 terrorists and arrested 332 persons in the last one week.
Troops also rescued 161 kidnapped victims while a total of 356 criminal elements including oil theft perpetrators were arrested.
In the Niger Delta, troops discovered and destroyed 8 illegal refinery sites, 97 dugout pits, 20 storage tanks, 174 cooking ovens, 6 boats, 2 receivers, 16 drums and 7 vehicles.
Troops recovered 533,127 litres of stolen crude oil and 24,520 litres of illegally refined AGO.
Consequently, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Four Hundred and Forty-Eight Million Five Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety Naira (N448,557,590) only.
During the encounters, troops recovered 234 assorted weapons and 5,994 assorted ammunition comprising 131 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, one M16 rifle, 43 locally fabricated gun, 21 Dane guns, one 105mm gun, 2 automatic pump action guns, 18 locally fabricated pistols, 8 single barrel guns, 2 automatic pump action guns, one LG4 bomb, one MG skeleton, 3 explosive IED case, one MOWAG APC, one 81mm mortar tripod stand
Expatiating on the operations, Gen Buba said, “In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 56 terrorists, arrested 61 suspects and rescued 43 kidnapper’s hostages.
“Troops recovered 42 AK47 rifles, 3 PKT guns, one 105mm gun, 12 dane guns, one MG skeleton, one LG4 bomb, 1,087 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 499 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 99 rounds of 7.62 pieces of 25mm ammo, one burnt RPG tube, 3 explosive IED case, one 81mm mortar tripod stand, 2 gun trucks, 16 motorcycles, 12 bicycles, 12 mobile phones and the sum of N639,500.00 only amongst others.
“Following intelligence and confirmatory ISR of massing up of terrorists with gun trucks, motorcycles and other logistics with intention of ambush on troops.
“The air component of Operation Hadin Kai with NA aeroson UAV on 15 and 16 April 2024 conducted multiple close air support and air interdiction. Accordingly, the targets were acquired and attacked with bombs and rockets.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their gun trucks as well as other logistics destroyed. Additionally, further exploitation by surface troops led to recovery of one hilux vehicle and one 105 pack howitzer.
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“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 8 insurgents, arrested 48 violent extremists and rescued 28 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 6 fabricated guns, 3 fabricated pistols, 89 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 176 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 23 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.
“Between 17 and 21 April 2024, troops in separate operations conducted Counter/anti kidnapping operations in Mangu, Bassa, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State.
During the operations, troops arrested 9 violent extremists/armed robbers and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 2 fabricated pistols, one dane gun, 89 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 97 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one motorcycle and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 24 terrorists, arrested 39 violent extremists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, 11 dane guns, 406 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 306 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 4 magazines, 8 motorcycles and 10 mobile phones amongst others.
“In North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 116 terrorists, arrested 42 terrorists and rescued 52 kidnapped hostages,
“Troops recovered 67 AK47 rifles, 14 fabricated guns, 10 fabricated pistols, 2 single barrel guns, 8 dane guns, 1,310 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 732 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 97 rounds of 9mm ammo, 144 live cartridges, one rifle butt, 17 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 19 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and the sum of N189,000.00 amongst others.
“On 15 and 19 April 2024, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji n multiple passes conducted air interdiction following report and confirmatory ISR at terrorists kingpins Babaru’s and Kamilu Buzaru’s hideouts in Kankara and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina State.
“The terrorists kingpins were sighted hibernating at respective locations with their cronies mobilizing associates for planned attacked around the locations. Consequently, the locations were acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs.
“Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized with their structures and logistics destroyed.
” Troops of Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 37 suspects and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages
“Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated guns, 98 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 motorcycles and one mobile phone amonsgt others.
“On 19 April 2024, following confirmatory ISR, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air interdiction at terrorists kingpin Mallam Yadee’s enclave In Mariga LGA of Niger State.
“The terrorists kingpin is an ally to terrorists kingpin Dogo Gide location’s was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists including one Kachalla Zugudum, Mallam Yadee’s lieutenant were neutralized with their structures and logistics destroyed.
“In Niger Delta troops of Operation Delta Safe apprehended 45 suspected oil thefts perpetrators and other violent extremists. Troops recovered 18 weapons and 615 assorted ammunitions.
“In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 14 terrorists, arrested 35 violent extremists and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered one M16 rifle, 2 automatic pump action guns, one Dane gun, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 34 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 87 live cartridges and one magazine amongst other.
“On 15 and 16 April 2024, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols and made contact with violent extremists in Ohaji/Egbema and Orlu LGAs of Imo State as well as Boki LGA of Cross River State
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 extremists and recovered one M16 rifle, 2 automatic pump action guns, one dane gun, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 34 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 87 live cartridges and one magazine amongst others.
“On 18 and 21 April 2024, troops in conjunction with DSS operatives during separate operations arrested 2 suspected violent extremists and notorious kidnapper in Udenu and Idemili South LGAs of Enugu and Anambra States respectively.
“All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Gen Buba added, ” Troops are maintaining the momentum in neutralizing the terrorists leaders and commanders. Indeed, we remain focused in fighting for the basic safety and security of citizens of this country.”
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