The Military high command in Abuja said it has staged tough operations on the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a secessionist group, Boko Haram and ISWAP, and a group of oil thieves in the last month with major casualties recorded by the enemies of the country, across the zones.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday, during a media briefing at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Giving a report update on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as of November 23, 2023, Buba, explained that the Joint Task Force Operation code-named ‘Hadin Kai’ in the North East, zone of the country, arrested a suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists’ collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
All recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action. These actions include prosecution.
Buba said the Armed Forces have in the course of its operations eliminated a large number of terrorists, destroyed a large number of terrorist camps and continue to degrade their military capability.
He said the war objective was to destroy the groups, decapitate them, and erode their ability to rage terror attacks against citizens.
He added that the troops conducted operations to curb the violent activities in the NE, NW and NC zones, as well as the sundry crimes in the SW zone.
Speaking further, he explained that in the SE Zone, troops conducted offensive actions against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) as well as other miscreants engaged in diverse violent activities.
“While in the SS Zone, troops curtailed the sabotage of the nation’s oil infrastructure and theft of crude oil.
“The war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and others creating insecurity in the country wages on, and the military is progressing towards its goal of total destruction of these elements. In this war, the military is learning every day how to better deal with the threat posed by these groups.
“We are maximizing the substantial advantage that we have such as air superiority and aerial cover for the ground forces. The joint operational environment is witnessing communication and coordination of fires between ground and aerial assets to decimate the enemy on the ground.
“The operations of the week in focus resulted in 99 neutralized terrorists, while 198 of them were arrested.
According to him, Troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 139 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Eighteen Million Four Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,018,483,900.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunitions. The breakdown are as follows: one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 49 AK47 rifles, one josef magnum pump action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 single barrel guns, 9 locally made pistols, 13 dane guns, one hand grenade, 7 locally made rifles, 3 RPG chargers, 2 locally made hand grenades.
“Others are 347 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 966 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 58 live cartridges, 50 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 30 magazines, 27 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, 34 motorcycles and sum of N717,580.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 245 dugout pits, 31 boats, 69 storage tanks, 23 vehicles, 162 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 3 outboard engine, one tricycle and 50 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 578,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 454,330 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,000 litres of DPK.
“Going by the outcome of ongoing operations across the country, the military is ready, capable, and eager to continue its mission of securing the country by the destruction of terrorists, extremists, and insurgents.
“Given that there are several lines of operation in countering insurgency, it is pertinent to state that combat operations against these insurgents, terrorists, and extremists remain one line of action.
Buba further stated that it was for this reason that the armed forces are calling on Nigerians for support, particularly in the area of public opinion.
“We have to show support for our troops to win this war. The gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to put themselves in harm’s way to ensure the safety and security of citizens. We have to exhibit patriotism and encourage them in our public discussion. The leadership of the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, is open to workable ideas to improve ongoing operations. Nigeria belongs to us all and therefore victory in this war is nonnegotiable. Together, we not just win, but we have dominion. Buba explained.
According to him, the troops conducted fighting patrols in Askira Uba, Bama, Abadam and Gujba LGAs of Borno and Yobe State, respectively.
He said troops ambushed the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Damboa LGAs of Borno State and discovered unexploded Ordinance and IED in Mobbar and Biu LGAs of Borno State.
He added that troops arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists spy and a gunrunner in Damaturu and Kwaya Kusar LGAs of Yobe and Borno States respectively, stressing that the Troops further conducted offensive operations in Damboa and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State.
“There was an arrest of suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists’ collaborators. On 17 November 2023, troops arrested three suspected terrorist collaborators in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. The suspects claimed that they were coarse to go on the errand by terrorist elements.
“Some BH/ISWAP Terrorists surrendered between 15 and 21 Nov 23, and a total of 108 terrorists and their families comprising 13 adult males 32 adult females and 63 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.” He said.
Buba explained that during the fighting patrols, on 20 and 21 November 2023, in separate operations, troops conducted fighting patrol to Askira Uba, Bama and Abadam LGAs of Borno State, and made contact with the terrorists adding that during a fire fight, troops neutralized five terrorists and arrested four.
He further said that troops recovered four AK47 rifles, two locally made rifles, five magazines, 90 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, two mobile phones and two motorcycles.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that two among the suspects were explosive Ordinance experts.
“On 21 November 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to kidnappers’ hideout and made contact in Gujba LGA of Yobe State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 criminals while others fled. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 73 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo and 2 mobile phones.
“BH/ISWAP terrorists ambushed on troops on 16 and 19 November 2023, adding that the troops while on fighting patrols in separate operations were ambushed by BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Damboa LGAs of Borno State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 10 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered one GPMG, GT3 rifle, one 36 hand grenade, 107 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 30 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm Special ammo and one empty case of 7.62 mm NATO ammo.
“Discovery of UXO. On 17 November 2023, troops while conducting fighting patrols discovered an Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) in Mobbar LGA of Borno State. The UXO was successfully removed while efforts are ongoing to dispose it.
“Arrest of suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists Spy on 18 November 2023, troops while on perimeter patrol arrested a suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists spy identified withheld at Damaturu LGA of Yobe State.
“There was the arrest of suspected gunrunners on 18 November 2023, following a tip-off, troops with Hybrid Forces arrested two suspected gunrunners in Kwaya Kusar LGA of Borno State. Troop recovered one assault rifle without a magazine, one single barrel auto gun, one Dane gun, 16 cartridges and one mobile phone.
“Discovery and Detonation of IED. On 20 November 2023, troops while on patrol discovered an IED with a hand-written letter in Biu LGA of Borno State. Analysis is ongoing.
“On 20 November 2023, troops in conjunction with hybrid forces conducted offensive operation and made contact with terrorists in Damboa LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 7 BH/ISWAP terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles and 100 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo.
“On 21 November 2023, troops with hybrid forces conducted offensive operation and made contact with terrorists in Mobbar LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 3 magazines, 70 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and 2 motorcycles.
“Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 19 terrorists, arrested 21 and rescued eight kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 40 AK47 rifles, one single barrel auto gun, two locally made rifles, one Dane gun, one hand grenade, 333 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 107 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 live cartridges, 30 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 8 magazines and 5 mobile phones.
