Troops neutralise 135 bandits in one week

No fewer than 135 terrorists were neutralised, while 185 suspects were apprehended, and 129 kidnappee victims were rescued by the troops of the Nigerian army through well-executed operations across the country in the last one week

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, while disclosing in the Defence Headquarters weekly update on the operations of the military on Saturday in Abuja, said that terrorists in the North Central have begun to surrender to troops.

“These surrenders are occasioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops onslaught against them,” he said.

He said that a non-kinetic collaborative effort with stakeholders was deployed to encourage the surrendering process.

“Accordingly, several terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants have so far surrendered, with more indicating interest to surrender.

“Notable terrorists that have surrendered include Yellow Jambros, Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e, and Babangida, among others.

“Nevertheless, troops will sustain its operational tempo in order to destroy or cause further surrendering by terrorists.

“However, during the week under review, troops neutralised 135 and arrested 185 persons.

“Troops also arrested 61 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 129 kidnapped hostages,” he said.

Buba said the troops also recovered 113 assorted weapons and 2,415 ammunition, comprising 72 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 15 Dane guns, eight pump action guns, four hand grenades, one RPG bomb, and a tube.

Others are 1,554 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 380 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 203 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 129 live cartridges, 28 shotgun cartridges, and 500 54mm empty cases of MG ammo.

He added that 30 rounds of 7.62 x ammo, 49 rounds of 5.7mm ammo, 165 live cartridges, 10 rounds of 9mm ammo, 38 magazines, radios, 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, and 28 mobile phones were recovered, among other items.

Buba said the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 93 crude oil cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks, and 82 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include one outboard engine, four speedboats, three HH radios, four motorcycles, five mobile phones, and 14 vehicles.

“Troops recovered 909,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 71,060 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 13,580 litres of PMS.

“Overall, troops will continue to find innovative solutions in tackling the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation.

“We remain in a winning position in the war,” he added.

NAN