Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated 156 terrorists, arrested 464 individuals, and successfully rescued 181 hostages from kidnappers in the past one week.
Briefing journalists on the ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the troubled zones of the country, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj- Gen. Edward Buba reiterated the commitment of the military in winning the war against terrorism and insurgency.
Maj-Gen. Buba noted that the ongoing military operationsdemonstrates significant strides in neutralizing threats across the country.
According to him, the Nigerian troops have made substantial progress in the fight against insurgents and criminal element. He revealed that in the past week, troops killed scores of terrorists, arrested others, and rescued several kidnapped hostages, among others.
He said,”During the period under review, the military neutralized 156 terrorists, arrested 464 individuals, and successfully rescued 181 hostages from kidnappers. In the southern region, efforts to combat oil theft also yielded impressive results, with troops denying criminal groups an estimated N623.4 million worth of stolen oil.
“The military’s operations have led to the recovery of a wide array of weapons and ammunition, including 219 assorted weapons such as AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Additionally, 2,871 rounds of various ammunition types were seized in the course of these operations.”
According to Maj-Gen Buba, the efforts to curb illegal activities have extended to the Niger Delta region, where military forces discovered and destroyed 48 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, and 46 illegal refining sites. “Over 700,000litress of stolen crude oil, along with large quantities of illegally refined products, were recovered,” he said.
The DDMO emphasized the unwavering determination of the military to eliminate terrorism in all its forms. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the influx of foreign fighters from the Sahelian region but reaffirmed that the strategic objective of weakening the terrorists’ resolve remains unyielding.
“The military is committed to breaking the will of the terrorists and insurgents. While setbacks may occur, as is common in anytheatrer of war, our resolve to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians remains strong,” said Major General Buba.
In addition to military efforts, General Buba called on citizens to actively participate in the collective responsibility of ensuring security, urging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
As Nigeria continues to battle terrorism and insurgency, the military remains a formidable force in safeguarding the nation’s peace and stability, ensuring that the sacrifices made by its personnel are not in vain.
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