The Nigerian Armed Forces have intensified their operations against criminal elements across the country, achieving significant victories, including the elimination of 88 terrorists and the arrest of 228 suspects within the past week.
This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, who highlighted the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and other criminal activities.
Maj. Gen. Edward noted that operations have been ramped up in the North West and other parts of the country as troops aim to neutralize terror groups and deny them any operational foothold.
“Troops are on an onslaught to crush terrorists in the North West and other parts of the country,” he said, adding that the increased operational intensity has begun yielding remarkable results.
During the week under review, troops rescued 181 kidnapped hostages and arrested 40 individuals involved in oil theft.
In the Niger Delta region, the military uncovered and dismantled illegal refining sites, recovering stolen crude oil valued at over ₦1 billion.
“In the South-South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1,021,412,950.00.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks and 59 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include three barges, seven speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, five pumping machines, three mobile phones and nine vehicles, among others.
“Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS,” Buba said.
He said troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: 34 AK-47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 Dane guns, five fabricated revolver pistols, eight locally made pistols, three pump action guns and one magnum pump action.
“Others are 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 77 rounds of 9mm ammo, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, two baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones and the sum of N1,851,000.00 only amongst other items,” Buba said.
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed its resolve to dismantle all terror networks and criminal activities across the country.
“Operations are being modified to box in these terrorists while also increasing operational intensity,” Maj. Gen. Edward stated.
