1.1K
-Neutralized 266 terrorists, arrested 463 others in January, 2024
-Saved N2.8bn for FG from attempted oil theft
By Bayo Davids
Nigerian military troops executing various operations across the country have warned terrorists and insurgents in the land to either surrender or get killed in their campaign of violence against innocent Nigerians.
This is just as the military authority in a release on Thursday, signed by Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations, unveiled a number of victories recorded in the year, including the killing of hundreds of terrorists and arrest of scores of others in the past few weeks.
Recall that the terrorists made up of members of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram as well as gunmen operating under anonymous identity have been on the onslaught, killing and maiming in Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Yobe and other parts of the country, fueling calls by eminent Nigerians, the media and civil society organizations for a rejig of the nation’s security architecture.
In what appears to be a take or leave it advisory, General Buba warned the criminal elements to either embrace peace or die trying to implement their violent agenda against the nation.
The release reads: “The armed forces will continue to fulfill its mission of hunting and destroying terrorist and their cohorts across the country in the most professional manner. Needless to mention, these terrorists are left with only two choices which is to either to be killed or surrender.
“Since the beginning of the year, several terrorists and their leaders have been killed or badly injured owing to offensive actions by both land and air forces. Troops are continuing their actions even at this very moment and we are proud of them and appreciate their brave conduct.
“In January 2024, troops neutralized 266 terrorists, arrested 463 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 116 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 447 assorted weapons and 6,697 assorted ammunitions. In Jan 2024, troops operating in the South South, denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Two Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty One Million Five Hundred and Three Thousand and Nine Hundred Sixty Two Naira (N2,821,503,962.00) only.”
In January 2024, alone, General Buba noted that the military made a number of recoveries including “237 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 18 pump action guns, 55 dane guns, 6,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 421 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm and 506 live cartridges. Others are 1,832,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 523,799 litres of illegally refined AGO, 16,716 litres of DPK and 5,200 litres of PMS amongst other item.”
Within the week, the Defence boss said his men neutralized 105 terrorist and arrested 140 of them, adding that “Troops also arrested 26 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 86 kidnapped hostages. In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N220.84m.
The statement further read, “Troops recovered 208 assorted weapons and 5,332 assorted ammunition. The breakdown for the week include 95 AK47 rifles, one assault rifle, 39 locally fabricated guns, 34 dane guns, 14 pump action guns, 4 fabricated pistol, 3 fabricated pump action gun, one fabricated revolver pistol, 2 fabricated double barrel gun and locally fabricated arty pieces.
“Others are 3,830 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 640 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 265 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 359 live cartridges, 8 magazines, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N383,200.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 9 dugout pits, 19 boats, 21 storage tanks and 8 vehicles. Other items recovered include 35 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and 18 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 157,300 litres of stolen crude oil, 23,750 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,050 litres of DPK.”
General Buba called on citizens to rise up to the challenge of assisting the military in securing the nation’s space, insisting that “Our security challenges are mostly self-inflicted.”
He further called on the society at large to take example from troops in the frontlines fighting to achieve the goal of liquidating terrorists and insurgents across the country in order to restore peace and security, saying “These men and women, are from all the nooks and cranny of our country, and act shoulder to shoulder as a united force to achieve a common cause of destroying camps of violence in the country.
“Just like our footballers are doing to make the nation protein the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON)s, our musicians and artists are doing on the world stage and our athletes flying our flags high with pride. It is not beyond us with our resilient spirit to quench the fires of violence across the country.
“Unity is key to our victory, in overcoming the security challenges confronting us as a nation. Indeed, it must be said that, militaries don’t go to war, rather it is nations that go to war,” he added.
14. Our nation is at war, and wars can be complex and ugly. Already, we are witnessing some of the ugly trends of war
across the country. It is time for citizens to close ranks with the military to win this war. Citizens are critical in war, and must therefore be quick to realize their role in the ongoing war and act accordingly.
EDWARD BUBA
Major General
Director Defence Media Operations