Troops fighting against insecurity, including terrorism and banditry, have rescued 140 kidnapped victims across Nigeria in one week.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, announced this on Friday.
He said, “Troops neutralized 125 terrorists and arrested 220 criminal elements, including 20 perpetrators of oil theft.”
Troops also prevented the theft of oil worth an estimated N744.15 million. They recovered 120 assorted weapons and 1,793 rounds of ammunition. This included 56 AK47 rifles, 26 locally made guns, and 22 dane guns.
“In the Niger Delta area, troops discovered and destroyed 31 illegal refinery sites, 11 dugout pits, 5 boats, and 20 storage tanks,” Major General Buba added. They also recovered 715,325 liters of stolen crude oil and 148,415 liters of illegally refined AGO.
In Borno State, “troops neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 40 suspects, and rescued 14 hostages,” Buba said. They recovered 23 AK47 rifles and other weapons.
Between July 12 and 15, troops in Borno State rescued 80 hostages and neutralized 32 terrorists. They recovered more weapons and ammunition.
In Yobe State, 19 terrorists’ collaborators were arrested. Troops also recovered more items, including 8 mobile phones and N2,487,145 in cash.
In the North Central region, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 19 insurgents, arrested 24 extremists, and rescued 19 hostages. They recovered various weapons and ammunition.
“In Plateau State, between July 10 and 15, troops neutralized 17 terrorists and arrested 9 extremists,” Buba stated. They also rescued 6 hostages.
In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 31 terrorists, arrested 21, and rescued 30 hostages. They recovered several weapons and ammunition.
In the North East, airstrikes targeted terrorist camps, eliminating several terrorists and destroying their logistics.
In the Niger Delta, troops apprehended 20 suspected oil thieves and recovered 715,325 liters of stolen crude oil.
In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 45 extremists, and rescued 3 hostages. They recovered various weapons and mobile phones.
In the South West, troops of Operation Aatsw arrested 23 extremists and rescued 4 hostages. They recovered weapons, ammunition, and mobile phones.
“Overall, the military is in a good and strong position in the war against terrorists,” Major General Buba concluded. “Our operations continue to focus on providing security and stability for the nation and its citizens.”
