By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria yesterday said its troops killed 197 terrorists, nabbed 310 others, uncovered and dismantled 43 illegal refining sites in one week.
The hierarchy of Nigeria’s military, however, also announced a loss of nine personnel in action, in Zamfara State, rescued 251 kidnapped hostages, and apprehended 22 perpetrators of oil theft within the period under review.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja.
He also revealed that troops in the South-South region denied economic saboteurs an estimated sum of N765.64m within the same period.
Buba, however, noted that the troops recovered 728,360 litres of stolen crude oil, 143,450 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,100 litres of DPK, and 18,750 litres of PMS.
Speaking on recovered arms and ammunition, Buba said, “Troops recovered 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: two PKT guns, one fabricated Arty gun, one G3 rifle, 73 AK47 rifles, 17 locally manufactured guns, 21 Dane guns, two pump action guns, two revolver rifles, and one short Dane gun.
“Others include three double barrel guns, three single barrel guns, one pistol, four locally fabricated pistols, five fabricated Beretta pistols, one Berretta pistol, one Jojef magnum pump action gun, one exp 64 semi-auto rifle, 10 hand grenades, three 60mm mortar bombs, bandoliers and 10 fabricated arty bombs, four vehicles, 47 motorcycles, 21 mobile phones and the sum of N1.236m as well as CFA 608,000 only, amongst other items.”
*Dismantle 43 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region
He added, “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 29 dugout pits, 22 boats and 26 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 66 cooking ovens, 85 drums, 8 vehicles, 3 mobile phones, and 43 illegal refining sites.”
Buba, also noted that troops of Operations Udo Ka, arrested over 99 suspects in connection with the killings of five personnel at the checkpoint in Abia, during intelligence-based operations.
*Abia operations
The operations, he said, led to the discovery and destruction of several IPoB/ESN terrorist camps across the region such as the one located at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State among others.
According to him, “Sequel to the killings of five personnel at the checkpoint in Abia, troops conducted several intelligences-based operations that led to the discovery and destruction of several IPoB/ESN terrorists’ camps across the region such as at Igboro Forest in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State, among others.”
“Several arrests were made from the raids with those found guilty still in detention. Surely, there is intelligence value to the raids and arrests that were made. Those in detention are assisting troops to locate other camps, sleeper cells, and high-profile individuals involved in the activities of the terrorist group,” Buba said.
Buba also frowned on the weighty allegations labelled against the Armed Forces by the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, in a recent interview on Channels TV.
He noted that the AFN was a professional force that was subservient to political authority, particularly the political leadership of Zamfara State.
The military, he said, would not join issues with the governor but would rather choose the part of cooperation over conflict with the governor and look forward to constructively engaging him on the matters.
Buba noted that the loss of nine personnel in June was a painful testament to the military’s tireless efforts, commitment, and sacrifice to restoring peace and security in the state.
*Ekpa must be arrested, says CDs
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that self-acclaimed Biafra Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa, must be arrested and prosecuted for encouraging the activities of gunmen in the South-East.
Musa also lamented that Ekpa was using the protection he enjoyed from the Finnish government to perpetrate evil in Nigeria.
He made these remarks during a Channels Television special broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 2024 Democracy Day.
Ekpa is based in Finland and has continued to issue sit-at-home orders in the name of IPoB and Nnamdi Kanu, the leader.
However, the Service Chief urged the Federal Government to explore diplomatic options in tackling Ekpa.
According to the CDS, “We have repeatedly complained about the issue of Simon Ekpa. He is in Finland, and the Finnish government is giving him all the support, and he is doing what he is doing.
“The comments he is making result in people being killed, and nothing is being done. This is democracy.
“If the European Union is supporting democracy and this is happening and they are not taking action, then they don’t mean well for Nigeria.
“We have said that in clear terms. We need to diplomatically find means of stopping him from whatever it is that he is doing. He must be arrested, and he must be prosecuted.
“Look at it from another perspective: assuming he is in Nigeria and doing that to the Finnish government, do you think the European Union would allow that to happen? They definitely would not.”
