By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

The Defence headquarters said troops have neutralized 27 terrorists, including “one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima was a major setback for the group”.

The Defence high command also said that the gallant troops have beefed up operations in Kaduna and its environs to neutralise the terrorists activities.

The Director Defence Media Operation, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, made this public while briefing the media on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations from March10 to March24, 2022.

“As you are aware, we have continued to carry out our military operations against the terrorists/bandits and other enemies of the state.

“Our troops remained committed and are simultaneous operational engagements were conducted across the country.

“While the security situation in some locations remained peaceful and calm, some other areas recorded some incidents within the period,” he stated.

The Director Defence Media Operation gave the summary of operational activities in the various theatres as follows:

OPERATION HADARIN DAJI

“Our troops continued clearance operations at Malekachi, Danlayi in Danko Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

“Other locations include Guga Village in Bakori Local Government Area, Farin Dutse in Fari Kama Village, Kwanenem Tukwane Village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State and Rabah, Tangaza Local Government Area, Sabon Garin Liman Village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

“The Air Component of the OPERATION HADARIN DAJI carried out air interdiction on 14 March 2022 at Unguwar Adam village in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Following intelligent report about the gathering of terrorists possibly for a meeting of their key Commanders and leaders, it dispatched an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to monitor activities at the location. It was confirmed that over 50 of the terrorists congregated for the meeting.

“Consequently, the air component vectored the fighter jet to the location, human intelligence gathered indicates that 27 of the terrorists were neutralized. Prominent among those neutralized include one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima was a major setback for the group.

“Furthermore, another air interdiction was carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, neutralizing scores of the terrorists while those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops. Cumulatively, own troops neutralized 8 Bandits, arrested 7 bandits, rescued56 civilians and recovered 1 AK 47 rifles, 2 generators, 3 MC, 1 motorcycle and 1 pumping machine. All arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action”.

Regarding EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS, the director said: “The Nigerian Navy in conjunction with US AFRICOM organized the 12th Edition of Ex OBANGAME EXPRESS which was designed to create enabling environment and freedom of Navigation in the Gulf of Guinea. Also, to created regional collaboration through joint operations and to checkmate illegal economic activities on our coastal water. The Exercise was held from 11 - 18 March 2022.”

Continuing, he said: “During the Exercise own patrol vessels intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on our coastal waters. The vessels are FV MAGNOLTA and FV JASMIN.

“Also, MT QUEEN OF PEACE was intercepted with loaded with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT HARBOUR SPIRIT was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents. A total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members were interrogated and 5 arrested with in the Exercise period. The overall assessment of the Exercise was adjudged successful as it lived up to it bidding”.

As for OPERATION DELTA SAFE, Onyeuko said, “troops in the theatre of OPERATIONS DELTA SAFE have in the last 2 weeks intensified raids operations against oil thieves and other economic saboteurs in different communities, towns, villages and creeks in Ajomo Creeks, Koko town in Warri North Local Government Area, Obodo, Okpoko river in Warri South Local Government Area, Obiayaga, Eruwaram in Ugeli South Local Government Area, Aker Jetty, Bakana Creek, Afremo, Ogidigben, Obotobo, Saghara Creek in Warri South West Local Government Area, Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area, Burutu Creeks, Oboro, Alabgba Biri Communities in Burutu Local Government Area, Warri Sapele road in Urwie Local Government Area all in Delta State. other locations are Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Elele, Owerri in Ekwere Local Government Area of River State and Ozoaku Local Government Area of Abia State respectively.

“During the operations, troops also discovered and destroyed 49 illegal refineries, 275 polythene bags containing illegal refined AGO, 146 ovens, 145 receivers, 4 boilers, 125 metal storage tanks, 8 GP tanks, 19 drums, 69 50litres jerry cans, 81 galvanized pipes, 85 dugout pits, 5 warehouses and pots containing illegal refined AGO.

“Cumulatively, troops within the period under review neutralized 1 militant, recovered 6,679,000 litres of illegal refined AGO, 4,436,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 1 gun boat, I BMG gun, 1 AK 47 rifle, 5 MCs, several rounds of 7.62mm specialammunition,12 motorcycles, 20 wooden boats, 15 pumping machines, 2 trucks, 1 ford, 3 speedboats, 5 engines, 1keke, 5 vehicles. Furthermore, 70 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization and other criminal elements were apprehended.

“All recovered items and apprehended criminals have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action”.

Speaking about OPERATION HADIN KAI, the director noted that the troops recorded success as the air components in this theatre of operation on 15 March 2022 conducted air strikes on terrorist within the Lake Chad Region and Tumbuns Close to Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.

“During the air strikes key members of Islamic State of West African Province were neutralized,” he said.

He added: “Other operations were conducteed in Marsele, Musini, Gwoza, Liman Kara, Mandara, Fadhis, Waitini, Galdekore, Izza, GarinBa’abba, Sambisa forest, Ashigashiya all in Borno State.

“The operational achievement include neutralization of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35 terrorists, recovered 34 AK 47, 5 dane gun, 9 locally made guns, 270 rustled cows, 3 motor cycles, AK 74 and 13 bicycles used for logistics movement. While 7000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram Terrorist from different location surrendered to own troops.

“Troops also rescued 27 civilians. The surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.”

On OPERATION SAFE HAVEN, he said: “Within the period under review, troops conducted clearance operations in Kitagun Village in Bassa Local Government Area, Adua Village in Bashar district in Wase Local Government Area, Tenti town in Bokkos Local Government Area, Mangu town in Mangu Local Government Area, Bisichi in BarkinLadi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“Other locations include Fadan Karshi, Ankwa in Sanga Local Government Area, Kurmin Masara in ZangoKataf Local Government Area and Jangidi in Jema’a Local Government Area, Fadan Chawai in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Subsequently, troops recovered several stolen railway sleepers, 3 trucks, 1 J5 bus, 2 AK47 rifles with extra magazines.

“Troops rescued 3 civilians, neutralized 2 bandits and apprehended 19 criminal/bandits. All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions”.

On OPERATION WHIRL STROKE, the director said that troops at the frontline within the last two weeks by conducted raid and clearance operations in different location which include: Ubise, Atunbe, Aguyi, Tse Keji, Abite, Weeghyina, Wende, MbachieKpokpo, Awande, Kasari, Tse Gaya, Kyonke in Mbayongo Council Ward of Katsina Ala Local Government Area, Tse-Ikyaan, Tse-Mondo, Agi, TseMou, TseOragbai, TseGbegir in Ukemberegya and Tswarev Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area, Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West Local Government Area, Iwewe Community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Other locations, according to him, are Sarkin Kudu in Ibi Local Government Area of Taraba State and Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

“Consequently, own troops neutralized 10 bandits, arrested 5 bandits, recovered 1 Peugeot Wagon vehicle, some weapons including: double barrel gun, AK47 rifles, 3 magazines, assorted calibers of ammunitions, 11 motorcycles, 3solar panels, 2 MC, 17 cell phones and dangerous local weapons. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions,” Onyeuko said.

He disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, commended the troops in all theatre of operations “for the modest feats recorded and enjoins troops to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost caution respect for human rights of citizens in their respective Area of Responsibilities”. The Defence high command also commend the general public for their unrelenting cooperation and efforts in providing useful information in aiding and support of military operations across the country.

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