Troops Record Milestone, Dislodge Terrorists Hideouts, Weapons – DHQ

Military across theatres of operations, have recovered 104 assorted weapons and 1,953 ammunitions as it intensified ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the nation.

The operations particularly targeted not just the terrorist but their network of collaborators, informants and support base.

A statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General, Edward Buba and made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA, troops in North Central Operational Theatre neutralised a notorious terrorist commander, and gun runner Abu Mosaje in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.

According to the statement, same troops apprehended  a wanted kidnap kingpin that was on security watch list identified as Babangida Gora Usman in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

“Furthermore, troops  arrested another notorious gunrunner and his son identified as Timothy Yusuf and Timothy Obadiah.

“Meanwhile, in the South East, troops arrested 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists including a notorious kidnapper and  informants in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States.

“Nevertheless, during the week under review, troops neutralised 79 and arrested 224 persons.

“Troops also arrested 28 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 67 kidnapped hostages,” the statement read.

In the South South, troops prevented the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Forty Seven Million, Seventy Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N747,070,710.00) only.

They also discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines, 2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others.

“Troops recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO and 200 litres of DPK.

“The breakdown as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, one FN rifle, 11 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, one fabricated SMG, 4 IEDs, 7 RPG bombs, 30 magazines, 4 IEDs and 3 locally made butts.

“Others are: 1,186 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 417 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 live cartridges, 3 bandoliers, one baofeng, 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones amongst other items,” the statement added.

The statement however, noted that troops remain steadfast in destruction of terrorists across the country.

“Even as the armed forces remains committed to creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is guaranteed,” the statement concluded.