Troops Intensify Counterterrorism Efforts: 118 Terrorists Neutralised, Major Arms Cache Seized, and Oil Theft Foiled Nationwide
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
Defence Headquarters says troops across the country are making significant strides in eliminating terrorist commanders and combatants through ongoing military operations.
The Director Defence Media Operations ,Major General Edward Buba who stated this while presenting ongoing military operations across theatres said, that armed forces remain resolute, with a laser focus on dismantling terrorist networks and infrastructure throughout Nigeria.
According to him, in the past week alone, troops neutralised 118 terrorists and arrested 97 suspects.
They also apprehended 18 individuals involved in oil theft and rescued 96 kidnapped hostages.
In the South-South region, troops thwarted oil theft attempts valued at an astonishing Seven Hundred and Ninety-Three Million, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira (N793,257,250).
Troops also seized a cache of 87 assorted weapons and 2,244 rounds of ammunition which includes a PKT gun, PKM, RPG, auto pistol, 43 AK-47 rifles, 14 fabricated rifles, 14 dane guns, 5 pump-action shotguns, 6 AK-47 magazines, and 3 boefeng radios. The haul also included 1,715 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 505 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 8 rounds of 9mm ammo, 14 live cartridges, and 89 empty 7.62mm cases.
On top of that, troops confiscated 10 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 50 mobile phones, and the sum of N778,560.
He disclosed that in the Niger Delta, troops uncovered and destroyed 4 dugout pits, 48 boats, 3 speedboats, 156 drums, and 34 storage tanks.
Among other recovered items were 28 cooking ovens, 8 vehicles, one motorcycle, one tricycle, and 44 illegal refining sites.
The operation also yielded 602,200 liters of stolen crude oil, 64,900 liters of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and 12,690 liters of petrol (PMS).
The DMO, stressed that the armed forces will continue to innovate, adapting their strategies to defend the nation and protect its citizens from insecurity adding that victory in the fight against terrorism is within sight.
