Insecurity: Military Rescue 140 Kidnapped Victims, kill 125 Terrorists, Bandits, arrest 220 Nationwide

***Recover huge cache of arms

By: Akpokona Omafuaire

 OVER 140 Kidnapped victims have been rescued, 125 terrorists killed, as 220 others have been arrested by troops fighting against insecurity particularly terrorism and banditry across the country in the one week.

 Those arrested by the gallant soldiers includes 20 perpetrators of oil theft, just as 31 illegal refineries were also destroyed.

 Troops also recovered oil theft of the estimated sum of N744.15million (Seven Hundred and Forty Four Million One Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Nine Hundred Naira.

Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations stated this on Friday. He said, “troops recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 assorted ammunition comprising 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated gun, 22 dane guns, one SMG rifle, 7 pump action guns, one fabricated barretta pistol, 7 locally made guns, 5 x 60mm mortar bomb Unexploded Ordinances and 2 small rubber gun powder.

“Others are: 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 383 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 78 live cartridges, 24 empty case of 7.62mm ammo, 21 AK47 magazines, 6 vehicles, 11 motorcycles, 5 bicycles, 38 mobile phones and the sum of N2,737,145.00 only amongst other items.

"In the Niger Delta area troops  discovered and discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refinery sites,11 dugout pits, 5 boats and 20 storage tanks, 31 cooking ovens, 5 vehicles, and 3 mobile phones. Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO.”

Detailing the operations, Buba said "troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects and rescued 14 kidnappers’ hostages. 

"Troops recovered 23 AK47 rifles, 7 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, one SMG gun, 16 magazines, 408 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm ammo, 5 rounds of 60mm mortal bombs, 10 magazines, one baofeng radio, 5 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, 4 bicycles, and the sum of N2,487,145.00 only amongst others.

"On 10 July 2024, furtherance to the troops attack on BH/ISWAP terrorists on 8 July 2024, troops conducted offensive operations and made contact with terrorists in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered 4 AK47 Rifle, 4 AK47 mag and 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.

"Between 12 and 15 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Bama, Dikwa, Nganzai, Konduga and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 32 and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages. 

"Troops also recovered 19 AK47 rifles, one SMG gun, 7 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, 288 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 112 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 magazines, one baofeng radio, 5 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

"Between 10 and 14 July 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 19   BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists’ collaborators in Geidam and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State. 

"Troops conducted similar operations in Kwaya Kursa, Bama and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, troops recovered 8 mobile phones, 4 bicycles and the sum of N2,487,145.00

"Between 10 and 14 July 2024, troops in separate patrols discovered and detonated IEDs as well as recovered 5 x 60mm mortar bomb and Unexploded Ordinances in Damboa, Kukawa, Bama, Marte and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State.

In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 19 insurgents, arrested 24 violent extremists and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages. 

"Troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated pistols, 11 dane guns, 328 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 empty cases of ammo, 2 small rubber guñ powder, one vehicle, one motorcycle and the sum of N250,000.00 only amongst others.

"On 10 and 11 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with violent extremists, terrorists in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

"Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 3 extremists/gunrunners. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, 166 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one Motorcycle and cutlasses amongst others.

"Between 12 and 16 July 2024, troops with NIS Tac Team in separate offensive operations raided and made contact with suspected violent extremists, kidnappers and gunrunners in Barkin Ladi and Wase LGAs of Plateau State.

"Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 10 terrorists and arrested 6  violent extremists. Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 8 fabricated rifles, 8 dane guns, 162 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 2 small rubber bottles of gun powder, military accoutrements and cutlasses amongst others.

"Between 10 and 15 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to distress calls on activities of  violent extremists/kidnappers in Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State. 

"Troops did same in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, troops rescued 6 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, one vehicle, one motorcycle and the sum of N250,000.00 only.

"On 10 and 15 July 2024, following a tip-off. Troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 3 violent extremists/kidnapper in Mangu and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State.

"Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 14 violent extremists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages. 

"On 10 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops raided a suspected violent extremists/kidnappers and assassin hideout in Doma LGA of Nasarawa State. 

"During the operation, troops arrested one suspect identified as the ring leader of a kidnappings, assassinations and crime syndicate.

"On 12 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 6 violent extremists/kidnappers in Donga and Jalingo LGAs of Taraba State as well as Doma LGA of Nasarawa State.

"In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 31 terrorists, arrested 21 terrorists and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages, Troops recovered 10 AK47 rifle, 2 fabricated rifles, 5 dane guns, 238 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 172 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one motorcycle, 3 mobile phones and one bicycle amongst others.

"On 11 and 15 July 2024, troops with DSS operatives in separate operations made contact with terrorists in Isa LGA of Sokoto State. 

"Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 4 suspects. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 5 dane guns, 172 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 magazines, one motorcycle and one bicycle amongst others.

"On 12 July 2024, following intelligence and confirmatory ISR on converging of suspected terrorists around Bukuru in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. 

"The air component of Operation Hadarin Daji conducted air interdiction and attacked the location with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their logistics destroyed.

"Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested 13 suspects and rescued 53 kidnapped hostages. 

"Troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 5 magazines, 118 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4 motorcycles amongst others.

"Troops while on offensive operation ambushed terrorists in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State neutralizing 11 terrorists and recovering 8 AK47 rifles. 

"Troops also recovered 5 magazines, 118 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 99 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 4 motorcycles.

"On 9 July 2024, troops while on patrol foiled a   kidnapping incident in Lokoja LGA of Kogi State. During the operations, troops rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.

"On 12 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops with DSS operatives raided a violent extremists/kidnappers hideout in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspects and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.

"Between 9 and 15 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations in Lokoja and Adavi LGA of Kogi State as well as Kwali Area Council of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops rescued 41 kidnapped hostages.

"On 8 and 12 July 2024, the air component of Operation Whirl Punch conducted air interdiction on terrorists’ kingpin’s enclaves. The air strikes were on enclaving belonging to terrorist commander Alhaji Layi’s in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State. 

"Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.

"Similarly, on 13 July 2024, air interdiction was conducted at terrorists camps located in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and their structures as well as logistics destroyed. 

"Troops of Operation Delta Safe in Niger Delta apprehended 20 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists as well as recovered 6 assorted ammo and 3 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo.

"Troops recovered 715,325 litres of stolen crude oil and 148,415 litres of illegally refined AGO. 

"Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 11 dugout pits, 5 boats and 20 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 31 cooking ovens, 5 vehicles, 3 mobile phones and 31 illegal refining sites.

"Between 10 and 12 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations foiled a kidnap incidents in Akoko-Edo and Owan West LGAs of Edo State. During the operations, troops rescued 9 kidnapped hostages.

"On 14 and 15 July 2024, following a tip-off, troops in separate operations raided suspected violent extremists hideouts in Ukanafu and Isoko North LGAs of Akwa Ibom and Delta States respectively.

"During the operations, troops arrested 3 suspects and recovered 3 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 6 cartridges and 3 mobile phones.

"In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 45 violent extremists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. 

 "Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 7 pump action guns, one locally fabricated barreta pistol, 7 locally made guns, 72 cartridges, one HHR and 13 mobile phones amongst other. 

 "On 8 July 2024, troops in separate operations raided violent extremists/cultists hideouts in Ohaozara and Aba South LGAs of Ebonyi and Abia States respectively.

 "During the operations, troops arrested 30 suspects and recovered 2 pump action guns, one fabricated barretta pistol and 34 live cartridges amongst others.

 "Between 10 and 12 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations raided violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members’ hideouts in Osisioma LGA of Abia State.

 "Similar operations were conducted to Orsu and Okigwe LGAs of Imo State.  During the operations, troops arrested 9 suspected violent extremists including a high profile extremists Identified as Chinedu Iwedo and Chineye Wisdom.

 "Troops also recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 5 pump action guns, 7 locally made guns, 38 cartridges, one HHR and 13 mobile phones amongst others.

 "In the South West, troops of Operation Aatsw arrested 23 violent extremists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages.

 "Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 magazines, 152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 9 mobile phones and a pair of woodland camouflage. 

 "All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

 "Op. On 13 and 15 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Emure and Edu LGAs of Ekiti and Kwara States respectively.

 "During the operations, troops arrested one suspect and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered one AK47 rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 6 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo.

 "Between 10 and 13 July 2024, troops with hybrid forces arrested 22 suspected violent extremists, kidnappers including an arms dealer in Ifelodun and Ogbomoso South LGAs of Kwara and Oyo States respectively.

 "During the operations, troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one dane gun, 130 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 9 mobile phones amongst others." he said.

 Furthermore, Gen Buba said, "On the whole, the military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorist with many terrorists leaders killed. Our operation continues to focus at providing security and stability for the nation and citizens."

 Source: Vanguard Newspapers