Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, has emphasized the importance of security awareness among Nigerians, warning against compromising individual safety, which would have far-reaching consequences for national security.
He urged citizens to work together to safeguard national security, fostering a more peaceful and prosperous nation.
During a press conference at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday, 16th January 2025, General Buba discussed ongoing military operations across the country.
He reflected on the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, honoring the memories of fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation. The General reiterated the military’s unwavering commitment to defeating terrorism and insurgency, praising the bravery and resilience of troops fighting to achieve greater results.
He presented a comprehensive overview of key accomplishments during the period under review, noting that troops neutralized 156 Terrorists and accordingly apprehended 464 suspected criminal elements.
Additionally, he stated that military personnel apprehended 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, he revealed that in the South-South region, troops thwarted oil thieves from obtaining an estimated Six Hundred and Twenty-Three Million Four Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Ninety Naira (N623,447,390.00).
Additionally, he stated that military personnel apprehended 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, he revealed that in the South-South region, troops thwarted oil thieves from obtaining an estimated Six Hundred and Twenty-Three Million Four Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Ninety Naira (N623,447,390.00). He said troops also recovered 219 assorted weapons and 2,871 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: one GPMG, 68 AK47 rifles, one AK56 rifle, 12 fabricated rifles, 4 FN rifles, 4 dane guns, 7 pump action guns, one foreign double barrel gun, 9 fabricated IEDs, 18 FN grenades, 6 RPG bombs, 27 magazines, 4 IEDs and making materials.
Others, according to him, are: 1,618 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 676 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 68 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 317 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 73 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 175 rounds of PKT ammo, one box of 12.7mm ammo, 25 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 10 vehicles, 42 motorcycles, 29 mobile phones amongst other items.
The Army General further stated that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 48 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, 56 storage tanks and 46 illegal refining sites. The troops also recovered 705,294 litres of stolen crude oil, 6,865 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,500 litres of DPK and 800 litres of PMS. Other items recovered by the troops include 28 boats, 8 pumping machines and 6 speedboats.
He said among the recoveries are 3 outboard engines, 6 drums, 8 motorcycles, one mobile phone and 8 vehicles among others.
“Overall, the military is profoundly conscious of its role and responsibility in ending insurgency and terrorism in the nation.
“Accordingly, troops are thwarting and eliminating forms of resurgent terror attacks in the NW and NE, caused by influx of foreign fighters from the Sahelian Region.
“Though troops might record occasional tactical setbacks which is common place in any theatre of war. Our strategic objective of breaking the terrorist s will to fight remains resolute and unhindered.
“Overall, citizens are urged to embrace security as every bodies business and not that of the military. Accordingly, citizens must not compromise on security, otherwise everyone’s security is compromised” he concluded.
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