Troops fighting against terrorism in the North East and North West, have recovered about N4.3million cash from terrorists collaborators, logistics suppliers and ransom payment being ferried to terrorists in their enclaves.
Scores of ISWAP/BHT terrorists also met their Waterloo during engagements with troops, with several logistics suppliers arrested while more than 120 abducted civilians were rescued from captivity in the last two weeks.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami made this known at a media briefing in Abuja even as he noted that a total of 1,506 BHT/SWAP terrorists and members of their families comprising 154 adult males, 514 adult females and 838 children surrendered to troops at different location within the North East theatre of operation.
Danmadami said, “Troops recovered 16 AK47 rifles, one 60mm mortar bomb, 10 Dane guns, 12 dummy rifles, 1 pump action gun, 1 PKT gun, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special, 118 rounds of 7.62 by 50mm NATO, 13 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm NATO ammo, 1 round of 12.7mm NATO, 17 AK47 magazines, 24 mobile phones among other sundry items as well as the cash sum of N2,234,820.00 only.
He said all recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
“Equally, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdiction operations against terrorist’s enclaves and logistics in support of ground operations.
“On 15 March 2023, following intelligent report that revealed the gathering of some wanted terrorists in some forest located in Borno and Yobe States to re-strategize on their terrorist’s escapades, several air interdictions operations were carried out at these locations.
“Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralized in the airstrike, while ground forces on mop up operations to locations recovered 1 gun truck, 3 AK47 rifles, 1 PKM gun, 1 PKM metal link with 19 rounds, 2 Improvised Explosive Devices, 129 rounds of 7.62mm by 39mm ammunition, 5 motorcycles fuel tanks, 3 bullet proof plates, 60 solar panel, while 2 terrorists logistic depots were also destroyed.
Troops also recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 6 Dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 2 AK47 magazines, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 628 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 cartridge, 18 cutlasses 1 pumping machine, 6 tyres, 31 used headsets, 2 boxes of alkaline battery, 2 exhaust pipes, 2 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit, bunch of keys, and 3 ID cards among other items.
In another operation, troops neutralized 8 bandits and arrested 28 criminals; rescued 5 kidnapped civilians and recovered the sum of N2, 000,000.00 meant for ransom.
In the North West zone troops after several engagements recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 1 PKT MG, 1 RPG 7 tube, 15 AK47 magazine, 7 pump action guns, 139 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm link ammunition, 218 rounds of 7.62mm special, 47 rounds of PKT ammunition, 9 smoke canister, 4 locally made IEDs, 1 40mm HEAP ammunition, 2 locally made cartridges, 12 mobile phones, 8 motorcycles among others and the sum of N9,670.
“Troops equally neutralized 14 terrorists, arrested 12 terrorists logistics supplier and rescued 16 abducted civilians.
“On 12 and 16 March 2023, troops on fighting patrol to Fatika village in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and Maru Local Government Area of Zamafara State responded to information on terrorist’s activities.
“Troops made contact with the terrorists and following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 terrorists while others fled. Troops searched the area and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 AK47 magazines, 26 rounds of 7.62mm by 39mm special ammunition, 4 motorcycles, 1 solar panel, 1 handheld pump and the sum of N23,700 only.
Furthermore, troops conducted fighting patrol to villages in Chikun and Birni Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, Wasagu LGA of Kebbi state, Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and Isa LGA of Sokoto State and made contact with terrorists.
“Following the various firefights, troops neutralized 11 terrorists and destroyed 11 motorcycles. Troops also recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 1 PKT MG, 218 rounds of 7.62mm special, 47 rounds of PKT ammunition, 9 smoke canister, 4 locally made IEDs, 1 40mm HEAP bomb, 1 RPG 7 tube, 1 jack knife, 6 cartridges, 2 AK47 magazines loaded with 40 rounds of 7.62mm special among other items
OIn Kogi, troops arrested 2 suspected kidnappers while attempting to collect ransom for a kidnapped victim at Gegu-Beki village in Kogi LGA of Kogi State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was sent to collect the sum of N2, 000,000.00.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted fighting patrols to criminal hideout in villages in Guma and Ukum LGAs of Benue State and engaged terrorists leading to 8 terrorists neutralized while recoveries include 2 AK47 rifles, 2 pistols, 2 Dane guns, 44 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 2 AK47 magazines, and 18 cutlasses.
“Troops also rescued 5 kidnapped civilians and arrested 7 criminals.
“Om March 18, 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to Independence National Electoral Commission office in Ilorin-West Local Government Area of Kwara State and intercepted some armed thugs.
“Troops searched the area where the thugs were seen and recovered 2 pump action guns, 4 locally made dane guns, 2 machetes, 4 mobile phones and 1 vehicle as well as arrested 6 thugs.
“Equally, on 19 March 2023, troops responded to election disruption within Ogbakiri community in Emouha Local Government Area of Rivers State and made contact with armed thugs and arrested 12 armed thugs.
“Troops also recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 1 FN rifle, 4 AK47 magazines, 1 pistol loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 1 pump action gun, 4 cartridges, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special and 1 hilux vehicle.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation of Delta Safe and Operation Dakatar Da Barawo discovered and destroyed 107 illegal refining sites, 140 storage tanks, 58 reservoirs, 151 ovens, 68 dugout pits and 22 wooden boats.
“Troops equally recovered 561,200 litres of crude oil, 119,000 liters of AGO, 1 fibre boat, 5 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 10 new gee-pee tanks, 1 tricycle and 6 vehicles while a total of 9 suspected criminals were apprehended.
“All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over the appropriate authority for further action.
“It is worth mentoring that the sum of N277.3million (N277, 357,800.00) only was denied oil thieves.
“On 18 and 20 March 2023, troops on patrol within Igbematoro – Kolama water ways in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Owa Aleru village in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State responded to a kidnap incident but no contact was made.
“Troops exploited the area and recovered 1 AK47 rifle and 2 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made pistol, 1 cartridge, 70 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 cutlasses and 4 mobile phones amongst other sundry items
In the South East, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Udoka sustained fight against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals aimed at restoring peace and normalcy in the zone.
“On 10 March 2023, troops arrested 18 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals during a cordon and search operation to villages in Igo-Eze and Isi-Uzo North Local Government Areas of Enugu State.
“Troops also recovered 4 serviceable and 2 unserviceable pump action guns, 11 cartridges, 13 machetes, 3 knives, 161 Permanent Voters Cards, 10 pairs of boots, 1 handcuff, 3 camp beds amongst others items, while 2 criminals were also neutralized during the operations.
“Between 11 – 14 March 2023, troops on fighting patrols to Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network camp in villages within Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Enugu South LGA of Enugu State and Oguta LGA of Imo State, made contact with criminals and neutralized 2 terrorists.
“Troops exploited the general areas and recovered 1 AK47 rifle, 7 pump action guns, 4 Dane guns, 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made pistol, 7 live cartridges, 1 double barrel gun, 2 cutlasses, 5 locally made handcuffs, 1 vehicle, 6 motorcycles, 34 pairs of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network uniforms, 3 black boots, while 7 criminals were also arrest.
“Between 16 – 22 March 2023, troops on patrol to Nenwe Junction in Aniri LGA of Enugu State and villages in Ezza North LGA of Ebonyi State had encounters with Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals mounted on motorcycles enroute camps.
“Troops pursued the criminals and in the fire fights that ensued, 3 criminals were neutralized and 7 arrested during the operations.
“Troops exploited the general area and recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 10 pump action guns, 3 locally fabricated pistol, 46 empty cases of ammunition, 3 AK47 magazines, 170 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 carton and 17 pieces of cartridges, 1 cutlass, 4 boafeng radios, 5 mobile phones and 8 motorcycles.
Consequently, after engagement, troops recovered 5 AK47 rifle, 29 pump action guns, 3 Dane guns, 4 locally made pistol, 1 double barrel gun, 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 188 rounds of 7.62mm special, 46 empty cases of ammunition, 7 live cartridges, 3 magazines, 4 boafeng radios, 16 machetes and several pairs of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network uniforms and boots.
“Troops also neutralized 7 criminals and arrested 32 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals. All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.”
