In a spate of one week, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) have killed 197 terrorists and nabbed 310 others. They also uncovered and dismantled 43 illegal refining sites.
The Nigerian military has also announced the loss of nine personnel in action, in Zamfara State after arresting 22 perpetrators of oil theft and rescuing 251 kidnapped hostages, within the period under review.
Director, of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Abuja.
Buba also disclosed that troops in the South-South region denied economic saboteurs an estimated sum of seven hundred and sixty-five million, six hundred and fifty-four thousand, one hundred naira only within the same period.
According to him, troops recovered 728,360 litres of stolen crude oil, 143,450 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,100 litres of DPK and 18,750 litres of PMS.
“Troops recovered 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: two PKT guns, one fabricated Arty gun, one G3 rifle, 73 AK47 rifles, 17 locally fabricated gun, 21 dane guns, two pump action guns, two revolver rifles, one short dane gun, three double barrel guns, three single barrel guns, one pistol, four locally fabricated pistols, five fabricated baretta pistols, one berretta pistol, one jojef magnum pump action gun, one Exp 64 semi auto rifle, 10 hand grenades, three 60mm mortar bombs, bandoliers and 10 fabricated Arty bombs. Four vehicles, 47 motorcycles, 21 mobile phones and the sum of N1,236,200.00 as well as CFA 608,000.00 only amongst other items,” Buba said.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 29 dugout pits, 22 boats and 26 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 66 cooking ovens, 85 drums, 8 vehicles, 3 mobile phones and 43 illegal refining sites’” he added.
General Buba, also noted that troops of Operations Udo Ka, arrested over 99 suspects in connection with the killings of five personnel at the checkpoint in Abia, during an intelligence-based operation.
According to him, operations led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorist camps across the region such as the one located at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others.
“Sequel to the killings of five personnel at the checkpoint in Abia, troops conducted several intelligence- based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPOB/ESN terrorists’ camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others,” he said.
“Several arrest were made from the raids with those found to be culpable still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrest that were made. Those in detention are assisting troops to locate other camps, sleeper cells and high-profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorist group,” Buba said.
General Buba also discredited the weighty allegations labelled against the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), by the Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, in a recent interview on Channels TV.
He noted that the AFN was a professional force that was subservient to political authority, particularly the political leadership of Zamfara State.
He said that the military would not join issues with the governor but would rather choose the part of cooperation over conflict with the governor and look forward to constructively engaging him on the matters.
Buba noted that the loss of nine personnel in the month of June was a painful testament to the military’s tireless efforts, commitment and sacrifice to restoring peace and security in the state.
