Military operations record huge successes, as troops neutralise 79, arrest 224 persons

…denies oil theft in tune of N747.7m, 28 perpetrators of oil theft arrested, 67 kidnapped hostages rescued

…arrest 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists, notorious kidnapper, informants

The Nigerian military has recorded huge successes on its intensified ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the nation as at 24 January 2024, which indicated that troops neutralised 79 and arrested 224 persons.

This is just as the military authorities denied alleged theft estimated at the sum of Seven Hundred and Forty Seven Million Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N747,070,710.00) only.

In a statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General, Edward Buba, which indicated that collaborators, informants and support bases are also brought down.

The state read in part, “The military intensified ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the nation. The operations particularly targeted not just the terrorist but their network of collaborators, informants and support base.

“Significantly, troops in North Central Operational Theatre neutralised a notorious terrorist commander, and gun runner identified as Abu Mosaje in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Additionally, the same troops apprehended a wanted kidnap kingpin that was on security watch list identified as Babangida Gora Usman. He was arrested in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

“Furthermore, troops arrested another notorious gunrunner and his son, identified as Timothy Yusuf and Timothy Obadiah. Meanwhile, in the South East, troops arrested 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists including a notorious kidnapper and informants in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States.

“Nevertheless, during the week under review, troops neutralised 79 and arrested 224 persons. Troops also arrested 28 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 67 kidnapped hostages.

“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Forty Seven Million Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N747,070,710.00) only. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines, 2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO and 200 litres of DPK.

“Furthermore, across all the theatres of operations, troops recovered 104 assorted weapons and 1,953 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, one FN rifle, 11 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, one fabricated SMG, 4 IEDs, 7 RPG bombs, 30 magazines, 4 IEDs and 3 locally made butts.

“Others are: 1,186 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 417 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 live cartridges, 3 bandoliers, one baofeng, 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones amongst other items.”

Meanwhile, Major General Buba, maintained that, “Overall, troops remain steadfast in the destruction of terrorists across the country. Even as the armed forces remain committed to creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is guaranteed.”

Ebriku John Friday