..Rescue 258 Kidnapped Victims

By Kingsley Omonobi

Troops fighting against terrorists and kidnappers in various parts of the country, eliminated 177 terrorists and arrested 304 others in the last one week.

Troops also rescued 258 kidnapped victims while crude oil theft valued at over N501 million was denied oil thieves.

Troops in the Niger Delta discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refining sites, 20 dugout pits, 32 boats and 32 storage tanks. 

Other items recovered include 58 cooking ovens, 17 vehicles, one pumping machine, 5 mobile phoned. Troops recovered 1,007,115 litres of stolen crude oil and 141,664 litres of illegally refined AGO.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba who made this known, stated that during the encounters, troops recovered 170 assorted weapons and 4,692 assorted ammunition comprising 6 PKT guns, 63 AK47 rifles, 3 FN rifles, one SMG rifle, 29 locally fabricated gun, 37 Dane guns, 20 pump action guns, 6 locally fabricated pistols, 4 bandoliers, RPG bombs, RPG charger, 2 primed IEDs and materials.

“Others are: 2,100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,239 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 419 rounds of 7.62  by 54mm, 212 rounds of 5.56 x 54mm ammo, 722 live cartridges, 13 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 74 AK47 magazines,17 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones and the sum of N2,149,700.00 only amongst other items.

Giving details of the operations, he said, Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East neutralized 64 terrorists, arrested 55 suspects and rescued 29 kidnappers hostages.

“Troops recovered 4 PKT guns, 19 AK47 rifles, 9 fabricated rifles, 15 dane guns, one FN rifle, one short double barrel gun, 2 bandoliers, 25 magazines, 594 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 430 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 419 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 101 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 15 motorcycles, 24 bicycles and 3 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 24 and 30 June 2024, a total 245 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters and their families members comprising of 18 male adults, 70 adult females and 156 children surrendered to troops in Dikwa, Gwoza, Kukawa and Bama LGAs of Borno State.

“Between 26 Jun and 2 Jul 24, a total of 506 BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters surrendered to troops comprising 66 adult males 157 adult females and 283 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.

“Between 25 and 27 June 2024, troops with hybrid forces in separate ambush operations made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 14 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 4 Dane guns, 3 magazines, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 motorcycles, 12 bicycles and one mobile amongst others.

“Troops of Operation Safe Haven in the North Central neutralized 13 insurgents, arrested 51 violent extremists and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages.

Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 4 fabricated rifles, one dane gun, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, one motorcycle and one mobile phone amongst others.

“On 24 June 2024, troops with hybrid forces while on patrol made contact with violent extremists in Wase LGA of Plateau State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, one dane gun, one RPG bomb, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one RPG charger and one motorcycle.

“On 24 and 25 June 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 3 violent extremists/armed robbers in Barkin Ladi and Jema’a LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively.

“Between 26 June and 1 July 2024, following reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 15 suspected violent extremists/cultists and armed robbers in Riyom, Jos North and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops also recovered 2 fabricated rifles, one long sword and a jack knife.

“Between 26 June and 1 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations encountered suspected violent extremists/terrorists in Mangu, Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Bassa and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State respectively.

 “Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 6 extremists and arrested 12 suspects. Troops also recovered 9 empty case of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 motorcycles and one mobile phone.

“On 29 June and 1 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State as well Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State respectively.

“During the operations, troops rescued 12 kidnapped hostages and recovered 2 fabricated rifles, 56 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 13 violent extremists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 motorcycles amongst others.

“Between 29 June and 1 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists in Karu and Katsina- Ala LGAs of Nasarawa and Benue States as well as Wukari LGA of Taraba State.

“During the operations, troops arrested 8 extremists and recovered  one AK47 rifles, 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 motorcycles.

“On 26 and 30 June 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to information on activities of suspected violent extremists in Wukari and Takum LGAs of Taraba State. During the operations, troops rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.

“In the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 52 terrorists, arrested 41 terrorists and rescued 49 kidnapped hostages,

“Troops recovered 22 AK47rifles, 13 fabricated rifles, 6 dane guns, 4 double barrel guns, 2 bandoliers, 18 magazines, 722 rounds of 7.62mm special, 484 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 94 cartridges, 12 motorcycles and 14 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 24 June 2024, troops while on patrol responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists/kidnappers in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State. During the operations, troops rescued 8 kidnapped hostages.

“On 27 June 2024, troops while on patrol responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists and made contact in Gudu LGA of Sokoto State.

“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 10 terrorists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 2 double barrel guns, 3 dane guns, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 32 cartridges, 2 magazines and one mobile phone.

“Between 25 June and 1 July 2024, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of suspected terrorists and made contact in Isah, Rabah, Gudu, Tangaza, Kware, Sabon Birnin and Gwadabawa LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Gusau, Anka and Bukuyyum LGAs of Zamfara State.

“Troops also conducted operations in Jibia LGA of Katsina State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 8 suspects and rescued 7 Kidnapped hostages.

‘Additionally, troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 9 fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, 2 double barrel guns, 722 rnds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 341 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 62 cartridges, 7 magazines, 2 bandoliers, 5 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 28 June 2024, troops with hybrid forces responded to information on suspected terrorists activities and made contact in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State.

‘”Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 2 magazines, 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and one mobile phone.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralized 19 terrorists, arrested 20 suspects and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 2 single barrel guns, one locally made single barrel gun, 8 magazines, 332 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 91 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 45 cartridges, 3 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N408,500.00 only amonsgt others.

“Between 28 June and 1 July 2024, troops in separate counter/anti kidnapping operations in Shanga and Kankara LGAs of Kaduna and Katsina States as well as Bukuyyum and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State troops also conducted operations in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State.

“During the operations, troops arrested 2 suspected terrorists and rescued 22 kidnapped hostages.

“In the South Esst, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 17 terrorists, arrested 42 violent extremists and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 2 FN rifles, 20 pump action guns, 6 locally made pistols, one SMG rifle, one locally fabricated rocket launcher, 4 locally fabricated rocket ammo, 341 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 178 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 212 rounds of 7.62 x 5.56mm ammo, and 482 live cartridges,

“Troops sre recovered 23 AK47 magazines, 2 FN rifle magazines, 6 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones, 2 HH radios, 2 primed IEDs and materials amongst other. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

“On 24 and 25 June 2024, troops in separate raid operations raided suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members hideouts in Umunneochi and Aninri LGAs of Abia and Enugu States respectively.

“During the operations, troops arrested 2 suspects including suspected gunrunner. Troops also recovered 3 pump action guns, 216 cartridges, 2 motorcycles and the sum of N1,741,200 only amongst others.

“Between 24 June and 2 July 2024, troops in separate offensive operations raided suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members hideouts and made contact in Orumba South, North and Awka North LGAs of Anambra State as well as Orsu, Okigwe and Onuimo LGAs of Imo State.

“Troops also conducted operations in Aninri and Orji River LGAs of Enugu State as well as Umunneochi LGA of Abia States. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 12 terrorists and arrested 30 suspected violent extremists including notorious gunrunner.

“Troops also recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 9 dane guns, 17 pump action guns, 2 PKT guns, one SMG rifle, 6 locally made pistols, 341 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one PKT link belt containing 178 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 266 cartridges.

“Others are: 212 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 23 AK47 magazines, 2 FN rifle magazines, 2 primed IEDs and IED making materials, 4 walkie talkie radios, 11 magazines, 2 HH radios, 4 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of ₦1,741,200 amongst others.

“On 26 June 2024, troops  while on counter/anti kidnapping operations responded to a distress call on activities of suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Okigwe LGA of Imo State. During the operations, troops rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.

“On 26 June 2024, following report, troops in conjunction with DSS operatives intercepted and arrested 3 suspected violent extremists/IPOB/ESN members in Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State.

Furthermore, Major Gen Buba said, “Troops are taking the fight to the terrorist and making significant strides each passing day.

“Much is being done, however we are focussed on doing much more to address the security situation and safeguard citizens.

“The military is combating terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the operational theatres in the country.

“Our role in the ongoing war is clear and we are increasingly making progress.