The Defence Headquarters has issued a stern warning to the different terrorist groups, and their accomplices to desist from their criminal activities of causing insecurity, economic sabotage, and disruption of peaceful coexistence of the Nigerians.
The Military high command noted that these elements have increasingly become more of a criminal organization which is the reason they fight, so that, they can keep profiting from their criminal activities such as illegal mining, kidnapping, cattle rustling, illegal levies on fishing, and farming communities and all other unholy forms of criminal inclinations, adding that if these groups do not come to the table in peace; they will be ceaselessly punish with overwhelming military force.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, revealed this in a statement, highlighting the operations of the armed forces on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism across the country in the last three months.
He said, “The counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations of the armed forces across the country in the last three months demonstrates the will of the armed forces to defeat terrorist and other violent extremist groups including those who support and finance them.
“During the period under review, offensive operations and air strikes were conducted to hit these groups and the terrorists where it hurts them most.
“It is clear from our operations that the terrorist and their cohorts have sustained a significant number of casualties. It is certain that they will continue to sustain even more casualties, as we move forward. The illusion by these groups to embark on terrorism or insurgency is laughable.
“Increasingly, they have become more of a criminal organization which is the reason they fight. They fight so that, they can keep profiting from criminal activities such as illegal mining, kidnapping, cattle rustling, illegal levies on fishing and farming communities, and all other unholy forms of criminal inclinations.
“Indeed, if these groups don’t come to the table in peace; We will ceaselessly punish them with overwhelming military force. Those supporting them, have picked the wrong side and will face a similar fate as these criminals and murderers.”
Major General Edward Buba, stated the Military operations across the six geopolitical zones from June to August 2023, revealing that; “We neutralized 814 terrorists and arrested 1,326 criminals. We arrested 42 kidnappers, 231 collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners, 191 suspected oil thieves, and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 4,560 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops.
“Troops recovered a total number of 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted kinds of ammunition, and 674 other equipment. The breakdown of these arms and ammunition is as follows; 117 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, five revolvers, 28 fabricated rifles, 11 fabricated pistols, 57 Dane guns, 23 pistols, 24 pump action guns, three FN rifles, three GPMGs, one double barrel gun, one barreta pistol, one G3 rifle, two HK21 rifles one IED, 123 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2,008 rounds of 7.62mm special, 30 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm, 512 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 190 rounds of 5.5mm, 39 rounds of 9mm, 29 rounds of PKM, and 19 cartridges.
“Troops equally recovered: one RPG tube, three hand grenades, one locally made hand grenade, one locally made bomb, two rifle butts, one AK47 barrel, one GMPG barrel, two MG links, 98 AK47 magazines, two G3 magazines, two FN magazines, two PKT magazines, two LMG magazines, two tear gas launchers, one bulletproof vest, 49 vehicles, 213 motorcycles, 48 bicycles, 69 mobile phones, five boafeng radios, four woodland camouflages, two boots, 74 knives, 71 handsets, 11 laptops, 13 steering rods and pumps, 45 machetes and 25 jack knives.
“Troops further recovered 213 motorcycles, 69 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machetes,s and a pair of camouflage. Troops’ operations in South-South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following; 6,652,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,558,325 litres of illegally refined AGO, 288,650 litres of DPK, and 65,600 PMS. All amounting to an estimated sum of N4 billion denied to the oil thieves.”
According to Major General Edward Buba, the Armed Forces will continue to apply strong military pressure on groups undermining the national security of the country. It is clear that the terrorist and their cohorts cannot win in the face of ongoing military pressure against them.
“Accordingly, the terrorists and their cohorts are encouraged to drop their arms and rejoin society to provide a better life for themselves and their children. They risk annihilation if they fail to do so.
“Nigerians need to know that, we are in this together. The military is with you. The military will work tirelessly to ensure your safety and security. Importantly, the trust and cooperation from supportive groups being witnessed today is unprecedented. The inputs from these groups are making a difference in our operations. Citizens are encouraged to Know Something, Say Something and we will do something about it,” he stated.