By Linus Aleke
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Thursday, said that its troops across all theatres of operations, killed no fewer than 151 terrorists, arrested 456, and nabbed 45 perpetrators of oil theft, in one week.
The Military also disclosed that troops of Operation Delta Safe, uncovered and destroyed 89 illegal refining sites, 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 235 cooking ovens, six pumping machines, one outboard engine, two speedboats, and the sum of N13,950.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made this disclosure, while briefing Defence Correspondents in Abuja also revealed that troops recovered about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined AGO, 22,650 litres of PMS and 3,000 litres of DPK.
He said the perpetrators of the terrorist and insurgency activities are using it as a guide for their gain through illegal mining and other unlawful activities.
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He said: “The upsurge in anti-illegal oil bunkering operations by troops of Operation Delta Safe in the South-South region has yielded desirable outcomes. This is indicative of the appreciable improvement in the country’s daily crude production. ”
Troops, he said, also rescued 76 kidnapped hostages and denied oil theft of the sum of one billion, eleven million eight hundred and fifty-one thousand two hundred and fifty nairas (N1,011,851,250) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 216 assorted weapons and 443 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 62 AK47 rifles, 7 pump action guns, 19 dane guns, 3 berreta pistol, 10 locally fabricated rifles, 5 locally made pistols, 399 IED detonator primers, 225 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 round of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 57 cartridges, 49 magazines, 21 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, one tricycle, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N3,194,450.00,” he said.
General Buba also revealed that the foot soldiers carry out the illegal mining from mining pits, while their sponsors are in the cities and towns, moving around as normal citizens to dispose of the proceeds.
The situation, he said, underscores the importance of ongoing military operations, which are critical to the nation’s effort to achieve peace and security.
The armed forces, he said, will remain focused on the conduct of its operations in support of national security interests.
According to him, “The priority of our operations is the protection of the citizens as well as villages, towns and cities from the senseless violence of terrorist and other violent extremist groups. Accordingly, our activities in Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast have effectively curtailed Boko Haram and other terrorist activities in the region. This is indicative of the large-scale surrender of members of the terrorist groups and the submission of a large cache of arms and ammunition. Similarly, the operational activities of troops in Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl Punch have made a significant impact on curtailed banditry and insurgency in the North West and North Central Regions of the Country. Additionally, the criminalities perpetrated in the Southeast region by the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network is being brought to the barest minimum through activities of troops of Operation Udoka, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders”.
Noting that the military is up to the challenge and more than ever before, the outcome is not in doubt, General Buba, concluded that the military ongoing operations reflect the commitment of the military to end terrorism and insurgency in the country.
