- Armed forces neutralize 23 terrorists, arrest 114 criminals in 9 weeks; rescue 41 hostages and recover weapons
- Operations lead to surrender of 231 terrorists, seizure of weapons and stolen oil products, contributing to enhanced national security
According to the Defence Headquarters, the armed forces’ troops have neutralized 23 terrorists and arrested 114 criminals in the last nine weeks.
It also stated that one informant and 22 suspected oil thieves were apprehended across the country during the time period.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said in a statement that the troops also rescued 41 kidnapped hostages.
According to Buba, 231 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in the North East, including 25 adult males, 63 adult females, and 143 children.
He went on to say that the troops found 41 weapons and 300 assorted weapons, including 14 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, two AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammo, and one PKT gun.
Others included one LMG, two pump action guns, two locally made pistols, three locally made rifles, two dane guns, one pistol, and two locally made long barrel guns, according to him.
Additionally, troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 AK47 magazine, one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 239 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five rounds of 7.62 NATO, 44 rounds of PKT, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo and 6 cartridges.
Furthermore, troops recovered 13 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machete, a pair of camouflage.
He added that the operations in the South-South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 23,250 litres of DPK.
All amounting to an estimated sum of N414.3 million denied to the oil thieves, the defence spokesman said.
Buba stated that the military would continue to relentlessly pursue the violent groups responsible for the country’s insecurity and instability.
He assured that troops would continue to make progress toward ensuring citizen safety and restoring national security.