By Linus Aleke
The Defence headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday said, troops of Guards Brigade, on 1st of October 2022, aborted plot by hoodlums to disrupt the 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebration, at Eagle Square, Abuja.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, who made this disclosure, during the biweekly briefing in Abuja, also said that 64 hoodlums were arrested during the operations.
He added that 33 suspected illegal miners were arrested at an illegal minning site at Gwagwalada Area Council, while 5 suspected drug peddlers, were also picked up along Koroduma-Asokoro Guzape area in Abuja.
Also, the air component of operations Hadarin Daji conducted precision bombing on identified notorious terrorists leaders, Gwaska Dankaramis camp at Mashekari area in Zurmi Local Government Area and Sani Dangote Camp in Farara village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing the terrorists leader and and five fighters.
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No fewer than 21 oil thieves were arrested by troops of Operations Delta Safe, while, also denying them over 2 billion naira in two weeks.
He said: “Guards Brigade troops raided Karshi hill and surrounding villages in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence on plans by hoodlums to disrupt the Independence Day Celebration, consequently, troop arrested 64 youths in black attires armed with 9 locally made guns.
On 25 September 2022, troops of Guards Brigade raided an identified illegal drug peddlers hideout along Koroduma-Asokoro Guzape in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and arrested 5 suspected drug peddlers, while 11 bags of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa was recovered from the suspects.
“In another development 33 suspected illegal miners were arrested at an illegal minning site at Gwagwalada Area Council. All apprehended criminals were handed over to the Nigeria Police Federal Capital Command for further action. Also, on 30 September 22, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. During the operation troops came in contact with terrorists who engaged own troops in a firefight but were subdued, the encounter led to the neutralization of 2 terrorists while other escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Similarly on the same day, troops responded to a distress call about the activities of a bandit leader identified as full fire and his gang members at Zaki Ibiam and Zamkara in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. During the operation, troops arrested 2 suspected bandits and recovered 1 locally fabricated AK47 rifle, 1 dane gun and 2 mobile phones. Troops also arrested one suspected bandit in his hideout, while a motorcycle and 1 round of 7.62mm special was recovered from the suspect. Equally, troops raided suspected terrorists hideout in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during the encounter troops neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 3 dane guns, 1 motorcycle, 3 mobile phones while 4 terrorists were also arrested. Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on 23 September 2022 raided suspected drug dealers hideout at Mangu in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. The drug dealer was arrested with large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis. Also on 26 September troops arrested 4 suspected armed robbers at Shaka village in Bassa Local Government Area and recovered armored cables suspected to have stolen from a government property in the general area. Equally, on 28 September 2022, troops in conjunction with the operatives of NSCDC arrested a notorious kidnapper and armed robber known as Anas Ayaro 22years who has been on the wanted list of security agencies along Layi in Bauchi State. The suspect is said to be the leader of a notorious gang involved in major kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery incident in Plateau and neighboring states.
“Also, between 25 September to 2 October 2022, troops arrested 9 suspected kidnappers, rescued 8 civilians, while troops on 4 October 2022 responded to distress call about the attack of gun men at fefur community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, consequently, troops trailed the assailants and neutralized 2 suspects and recovered 1 fabricated pistol with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special. All recovered items have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action”.
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On the details of how the release of the remaining Abuja Kaduna train attack victims were secured, Gen. Danmadami said, he does not think the details should be an issue for now.
“the most important thing is that these people have been held hostage for six months plus, and the defence Headquarters in collaboration with other agencies in a committee that was set up by the President and Commander in Chief has been able to secure their release. In the course of operations,there is what we call kinetic and non kinetic operations and this one was that of non kinetic Operations that was conducted to see that these people are released. At appropriate time,the details will be given,” he added.
Speaking on same subject matter, the Director Defence Information (DDI), Major General Jimmy Akpor said, the detail is classified.
According to him, “When you say a nation, country, we have what we call elements of national power and talking about elements of national power you have natural and social elements and these elements can be deployed separately or combined to achieve national objective and you know that this was a very high powered committee that there was a lot of secrecy about how they went about deploying those elements of national power to ensuring that the last batch is released and talking about what happened to the terrorists, that is part of that details you won’t get now but surely anybody who commits any offense against the nation will definitely be fished out and be brought to book”.
On air operations, the spokesperson said, “the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted precision bombing on identified notorious terrorists leaders Gwaska Dankaramis camp at Mashekari area in Zurmi Local Government Area and Sani Dangote Camp in Farara village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State. Following the airstrikes, a suspected terrorists leader identified as Dogo Rabe and 7 members of his gang were reportedly neutralized in the encounter while other fled in disarray. Furthermore, between 23 and 28 September 2022, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out air interdiction operation at identified terrorists enclaves at Kolaram and Bukar Meram both in the Southern Lake Chad region of Borno State. The air strikes resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists with several of their structures destroyed”.
On the surrendered Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), within the given period, he said: “a total of 418 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists, who claimed to have lost interest in the ideology of Boko Haram Terrorists surrendered to own troops at different locations with their families comprised of 44 adults males, 135 adult females and 239 children. All recovered items, and arrested Boko Haram Terrorist criminals were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action”.
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Enumerating the successes against oil thieves at the creeks of Niger Delta, the DHQ, said: “Troops of Operations Delta Safe, and Octopus Grip, discovered and destroyed 60 illegal refining sites, 58 wooden boats, 6 speed boats, 384 storage tanks, 223 cooking ovens and 60 dugout pits. Troops also recovered 20 pumping machines, 3 motorcycle, 1 tricycle, 18 vehicles and arrested 34 pipeline vandals while a total of Three Million Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Thousand (3,764,000) litres of crude oil, Four Hundred and Fifty Eight Thousand (458,000) litres of Automotive Gas Oil, One Thousand (1,000) litres of Premium Motor Spirit and Thirteen Thousand (13,000) litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine were also recovered.
“In a related development, troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO in the sustained fight against crude oil theft and maritime illegalities discovered and destroyed a total of 14 illegal refineries, 72 metal storage tanks, 9 wooden boats, 29 dugout pits, 51 ovens and 25 reservoirs. Cumulatively, within the weeks under review oil thieves were denied a total of Two Billion One Hundred and Forty Six Million Seven Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Four Hundred Seventy Two Naira Forty Two Kobo (N2,146,795,472.42) in the South South Region.
Also, between 23 to 28 September 2022, the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted air interdiction operations at location observed to be carrying out illegal refining activities at Ahoada in Rivers State. The airstrike destroyed the illegal refining site with several criminals fleeing during the engagement. A similar air interdiction operation was carried out on a location observed to be an active illegal refining site with the boathouse accommodation and facilities destroyed while few criminals fled in disarray”.
