By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja

Nigerian Defence authorities disclosed Thursday that troops in the North East zone operational theatres have neutralised about 27 commanders and forces of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the past two weeks, as troops sustained offensive against terrorists and criminal elements.

The Nigerian military also arrested scores of terror fighters numbering about 42 in the zone during fire fights, as part of the significant successes recorded during the period.

The success was attained through both both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, the military has said.

The disclosure was made by the Defence authorities in Abuja, in its fortnightly briefing on troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the six geo-political zones of the country. The briefing which covers the period between October 20 and November 3, 2022, also discloses that troops recovered stolen crude products worth N2.4 billion from oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

Defence Media Operations spokesman, Major General Musa Danmadami gives the highlights of the successes as follows:

In the NORTH EAST ZONE, the troops under HADIN KAI in the North East Zone sustained operational activities in villages, mountains, town and cities within their area of responsibility.

“Between 20 October to 2 November 2022, troops conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search operations at different locations in Bama, Kukawa, Kaga, and Biu Local Government Areas in Borno State as well as Damaturu, Gujba and Geidam Local Government Areas in Yobe States.

“Troops arrested 27 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, neutralized 19 and recovered 1 RPG bomb, 1 GPMG, 2 x 36 hand grenade, 6 AK47 rifles, 61 rounds of 7.62mm special, 36 refilled 7.62 mm special, 3 AK47 magazines and 3 magazine holders.

“Others are 6 motorcycles, 7 bicycles, 1 pumping machine, 6 grinding machines, 9 mobile phones, 6 x 25litres jerrican of PMS, bag of grains, motorcycle accessories, foodstuff, 1 baofeng radio and the sum of Ten Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty (N10,660.00) Naira only as well as other sundry items.

“Precisely, on the 20 October 2022, troops in conjunction with Department of State Security personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force made contact with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in Buduwa and Banki villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized 1 terrorist while other fled with gunshot injuries.

“Also, 1 terrorist surrendered to own troops and handover 1 AK47 rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 baofeng radio, 2 mobile phones, 1 camel pack amongst other items.

“On the same day, 2 suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists were arrested in Damaturu, Yobe State. Also, on 24 Oct 2022 troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force at custom Internally Displaced Persons Camp Shuwari town in Maiduguri Local Government Area of Borno State arrested one suspect in possession of 67 Permanent Voter Cards. Suspect is currently in troops custody for further interrogation. Also, in the same camp, a known terrorist Mr Lawan Yashin who attempted to escape upon sighting troops was neutralized. During the period in focus, a total of 145 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families comprising 30 adult males, 33 adult females and 82 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the North East theatre of operation”.

In the same breadth

Troops in the NORTH CENTRAL ZONE sustained the onslaught against terrorists and other criminal elements in their general area of operation which yielded tremendous success.

“Notably, on October 29,2022, in a coordinated operation between the land component and the air component, troops repelled an attack by the Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa State Province terrorists at Wawa Cantonment in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Following the engagement, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and captured 5. Additionally, troops recovered 1 HK 21 gun, 1 PKT gun, 598 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 676 rounds of 7.62 special, 3,902 rounds of AK49 ammunition, 2 RPG tubes, 7 RPG bombs, 1 grenade and 3 cartons of Improvised Explosive Devices accessories.

“Other items include 2 vehicles, 2 motorola radios, 2 radio chargers, cartons of drip, motorcycles, mobile phones and other sundry items. Equally, a follow up and exploitation operation was conducted by troops in conjunction with vigilantes at Tungan Gagara and Damala villages where contacts was made with the terrorist, following the fire fight, 13 terrorist were arrested while several others jumped into the river.

“Items recovered during the encounter include 5 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of PKT gun, 169 rounds of 7.62mm special, and 5 AK47 magazines. Other items recovered are 2 mobile phones, 2 HH radio and the sum of Fifty Two thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Naira (N52,850.00) only. Consequently, similar operation was carried out on 1 November 2022 at Babusara village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, during the encounter, troops neutralized 3 terrorists while other fled in disarray. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 112 rounds of 7.62mm special”.

The WHIRL STROKE in conjunction with the Nigeria Police and NDLEA operatives on October 28 2022 raided identified drug peddlers hideout around North bank in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

“During the operation, 14 suspected illicit drug peddlers were arrested, with large quantities of substance suspected to be hard drugs. Also, troops of Guards Brigade raided an illegal mining site at Tukashara Wasa, Apo in Abuja Municipal Area Council on 30 October 22 and arrested 60 suspected illegal miners as well recovered 4 dane guns, I locally fabricated gun, 14 cutlasses, 4 sleg hammers, 25 motorcycles, 1 vehicle and other items. Troops on the same day also arrested 2 trailers loaded with illegal mined items.

“Between October 21 and 24, 2022, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN conducted raid operation at Burgel town in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, Tangur village and Dorowa Bukuru town in Bokkos and Jos South Local Government Areas of Plateau State. During the raid operation, troops arrested 5 suspected kidnappers. Items recovered from the suspects were 2 wooden fabricated rifles, 1 round of 7.62mm special, 1 mobile phone, substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, and other illicit drugs. Troops also raided villages in Qu’an Pan, Jos South, Jos East and Jema’s Local Government Areas of Plateau and Kaduna States and arrested 2 suspected drug peddlers, 3 suspected armed robbers and 2 suspected kidnappers”

“Troops of operation HADARIN DAJI and WHIRL PUNCH in the North West Zone of the Country have continued to sustain operational activities through the conduct of fighting and clearance patrols to clear terrorists enclaves.

“Consequently, troops conducted operational activities at various locations within Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna and Kebbi States between October 21 and November 2, 2022.

“During the various operation, troops neutralized 25 terrorists, rescued 19 civilians and arrested 18 terrorists.

“Troops also recovered 10 AK47 rifles with 3 magazines containing 69 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 round of 9mm, 2 pump action guns, 3 cartridges, 12 dane guns, 3 locally made pistol, 18 mobile phones, 4 motorcycle and recovered 441 rustled cattles”.

Under the SOUTH SOUTH ZONE, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation DELTA SAFE in the South South Zone of the Country have sustained pressure towards denying criminal elements freedom of action, essential to sustain a conducive environment for economic activities to thrive while ensuring relative peaceful environment and protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the general area.

“The maritime and land component of Operation DELTA SAFE in the conduct of operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted operational activities at creeks, waterways, communities, villages, towns and cities within Delta, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States between October 20 and November 2,2022.

“ During the operations, troops discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites, 35 wooden boats, 304 storage tanks, 172 cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 5 drums, 2 reservoirs, 2 illegal bunkering camp and 6 illegal bunkering boats.

“Troops also recovered 34,547 barrels of crude oil, 650,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 10,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 7 pumping machines, 7 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, 1 double barrel gun, 2 live cartridges and arrested 5 pipeline vandals. 14.

“In a related development, troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO in the sustained fight against oil theft and maritime illegalities between 23 - 30 October 2022 discovered and destroyed 11 illegal refineries, 107 metal storage tanks, 5 wooden boats, 58 dugout pits, 38 ovens, 6 fibre boats, 28 reservoirs, 15 jerrycans, 2 pumping machines, 20,000 brls of crude oil and 167,900 litres of Automotive Gas Oil.

“Cumulatively, within the weeks under review, oil thieves were denied a total of 54,547 brls of crude oil, 817, 900 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 5,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 10,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine amounting to the sum of Two Billion Four Hundred and Thirty Five Million Twenty One Thousand Three Hundred Forty Three Naira Ninety Four Kobo (N2,435,021,343.94)”.

Speaking on the SOUTH EAST ZONE, he said “In a continuous effort to eliminate criminal elements in the South Eastern Zone of the Country, troops and other security agencies have not relented on their constitutional mandate in tackling insecurity in the zone.

“Notably, on October 20, 2022, troops while on duty at Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State were attacked by suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

“Troops however, repelled the attack and arrested 1 of the criminals, recovered 2 pistols and 4 rounds of 9mm ammo. Also, on the same day, following a tip-off, troops arrested a known armed robber at Ibagwa community in Igbo-Eze Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Troops recovered 1 locally made revolver pistol, 2 mobile phones and 1 motorcycle. Suspect in troops custody for further action. Also, on 24 October 2022, troops and Nigerian Police personnel on fighting patrol around Nkwere forest in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State came in contact with suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals mounted on SUVs and motorcycles, who fled on sighting troops.

“Troops pursued the criminals and engaged with superior fire, forcing them to abandon their vehicles and motorcycles. Troops exploited the area and recovered 2 SUV vehicles, 3 motorcycles, cooking utensils amongst others. All recovered items are in troops’ custody for further necessary action”.

He said the military high command commended the troops’ efforts in the various theatres of operation across the nation. In the same vein, the media community is acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in our quest to restore peace and security to the country.

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