Troops Arrest 34 Criminals in FCT, Neutralize 73 Terrorists, Rescue 68 Kidnapped Hostages Across Theatres of Operations

Troops Arrest 34 Criminals in FCT, Neutralize 73 Terrorists, Rescue 68 Kidnapped Hostages Across Theatres of Operations

The Defence Headquarters on Thursday revealed on 18 October 2023, following a tip-off, military troops of Operation WHIRL 14UNCH raided a suspected criminal’s hideout in AMAC of FCT, Abuja and arrested 34 suspected criminals. 

Director, of Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Buba said this while briefing Defence correspondents on troops’ operational activities in six geopolitical zones of the country.  

Major General Buba noted that troop destroyed their makeshift accommodation.

Overall, in North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recovered 8 AK 47 rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm special (belted) ammo, and 6 empty magazines among other items. Troops neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 38 suspected terrorists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages.

Major General Buba added that the operations of the last week resulted in 73 neutralized terrorists with 82 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 14 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. 

During the week, one of our surgical operations with the support of foreign partners targeted the residence of an ISWAP terrorist commander in Niger State. While being limited to speaking on future or ongoing operations.

Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 35 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, 3 PKT guns, 3 locally fabricated rifles, one hand grenade, one AK47 rifle wooden butt, 12 magazines, 349 rounds of 7.62mm special, 187 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 141 rounds of 7.62mm NATO on metal link among others. Troops also neutralized 39 terrorists, arrested 22 and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages.

“187 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 141 rounds of 7.62mm NATO on the metal link among others. Troops also neutralized 39 terrorists, arrested 22 and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages.

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered 6 AK47 rifles loaded with 14 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, fabricated rifles, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special and 43 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amongst others. Troops also neutralized 2 terrorists and arrested 99, while rescuing 15 kidnapped hostages.

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 10 terrorists and rescued 7 kidnapped hostages. On 24 October 2023, troops on patrol made contact with a bandit in Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized one bandit and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 125 rounds of 7.62 nm Special ammo, 2 RPG bombs and 9 motorcycles.

Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 11 of them and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. The troop also recovered 13 AK47 rifles, one Dane gun, one fabricated rifle, 2 RPGs, 253 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and a bag containing 375 rounds of 7.62mm special among other items.

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 8 dugout pits, 16 boats, 29 storage tanks, 37 cooking ovens, and 26 illegal refining sites among other items. Troops recovered 962,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 23,045 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,100 litres of DPK and 4,500 litres of PMS.

Troops also neutralized one criminal and apprehended 14 suspected oil thefts among others. On 17 October 2023, following reports on the possible location of one abducted Inspector of Nigerian Police, troops conducted a Search and Rescue operation to Oru West and East LGA of Imo State.

During the operation, troops made contact and neutralized one terrorist spiritualist at a shrine where the decomposing corpse of the abducted Inspector was found. Consequently, the shrine was set ablaze. The decomposing corpse was evacuated by the NP for further action.

In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 9 suspected criminals and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 4 locally made pistols, 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo among others.

All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

In the South-South, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Two Hundred and Twelve Million, Forty-Six Thousand One Hundred and Forty Naira (N1,212,046,140.00) only.

Furthermore, troops recovered 119 assorted weapons and 1,537 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: ne GPMG, 3 PKT guns, 39 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated rifles, one locally made double barrel gun, one barrel pistol,

Others are 586 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, a bag containing 287 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 389 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 141 rounds of 7.62mm special (belted) ammo, 12 rounds of 9mm ammo,

13 rounds of live cartridges, 25 empty magazines, 13 vehicles, 3 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones, 2 HH radios, one boating radio and the sum of N3,308,700.00 amongst other items.

Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 45 boats, 87 storage tanks, 128 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 4 outboard engines and 63 illegal refining sites.

Troops recovered 362,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 35,420 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,450 litres of DPK and 45,000 litres of PMS.

Major General Buba said, “One of the top priorities of the armed forces is to secure the country and protect citizens from harm caused by this terrorist and extremist across the country. Accordingly, the military is actively working to achieve this mandate.

“It is worthy of mention that the armed forces are in the lead in the ongoing country insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country. Significantly, our operations have killed or captured several terrorists, extremist leaders, their facilitators, key associates: and numerous of their foot soldiers.

“Similarly, ongoing surgical operations have thrown these evil elements into a state of complete disarray as we unlock their centre of gravity. They are now confronted with little or no hiding place. Indeed, It is now a question of sooner than later, before it would be too late for them.

“One thing is certain, the operation is just one of several others. The message is also clear, you are either with us or against us in this fight against terrorists and extremists. 

Speaking at the briefing, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet stressed that some of the successes  at all theatres of Operations A as a result of new platforms sponsored and acquired

He noted the Federal government have assisted the military by purchasing more platforms and the NAF is expecting more platforms.