Law abiding Citizens in Nigeria have been assured of great measures that will guarantee their protection by the Nigeria’s Military as it conduct offensive operations against criminal elements across the length and breadth of the Country.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba gave the assurance while briefing the media on military operations across the Country in Abuja today 11^th August, 2023. The Senior Army Officer lauded the active participation of the citizens in exposing the activities of those he described as “evil elements”. He said the days of those perpetuating violence and other criminal activities are numbered, calling on them to surrender now or be ready to exit the world.

He disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not back down in its offensive operations aimed at tackling insecurity across Nigeria, rather it will brutally hunt down the orchestrators and take appropriate actions to hold them accountable for their actions.

“Protecting civilians remains a vital part of own objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians. The uncommon cooperation, collaboration and support received from citizens across the country is greatly assisting own operations to yield expected results. Nigerians are speaking up, and the military is doing something about it” he hinted. He stated that during the week leading to 11 August 2023, the military neutralized 38 terrorists, arrested 175 gunmen/ criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborator and 17 pipeline vandals. The military he also said rescued 89 kidnapped hostages and denied the oil theft saboteurs the sum of Six Hundred and Seven Million, Three Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira (N607,346,750.00) being value of seizures.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition. The break down as follows; 14 AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, 3 AK47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one SMG, 10 dane gun, 5 locally fabricated pistols, 2 fabricated weapon, 2 double barrel guns, one locally made revolver, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 151 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 rounds 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 12 AK47 magazines, one G3 rifle magazine, one FN rifle magazine, one magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm special and 7 empty cases of 7.62mm special. Miscellaneous items recovered include; 33 motorcycles, 30 mobile phones, 4 tricycles, 4 motorola HH radios, 4 vehicles, 10 bags of fertilizers, 73 livestock, 7 cutlasses, one magazine pouch, 2 solar panels, 10 litres of PMS, Nigerian Police uniform, 2 gas cylinders, one power bank, one pairs of woodland and desert camouflages each. Troops also recovered the sum of Two Million Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Naira (N2,592,240.00).

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe, destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 72 dugout pits, 65 wooden boats, 70 storage tanks and 119 cooking ovens. Other sundry equipment include: 2 speedboats, 5 outboard engines, and 4 pumping machines. Troops recovered 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 132,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 57,450 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit” he said.

On the successes recorded in Joint Operations, Major General Buba asserted that “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI continued their offensive operations against the terrorists. Troops neutralized terrorist, conducted raids and rescued hostages. Troops recovered arms and ammunition in Bama, Ngala, Magumeri and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State.  Some terrorists surrendered and denouncing the terrorist ideology in Bama Local Government Area of the Borno State. Between 1^st to 2^nd August 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist enclaves at Ngalmari, Aligamari and Abbatori villages in Bama LGA of Borno State. Troops rescued 13 adult females and 16 children. Troops also rescued 5 kidnapped farmers at Shaware Adambe general area of the Borno State” he stated.

In raid operations, he disclosed that between 31^st July to 3^rd August 2023, troops responded to intelligence of notorious criminal gang known as Malians hibernating at Bolori 2 general area, Jajeri Bayan Quarters and Tudu general in Maiduguri Municipal City (MMC) of Borno State. The operation he said yielded results as troops arrested 18 suspected gang members. He said the troops were able to recover substance suspected to be cannabis, cough syrup and 5 mobile phones among other items.

“On 2^nd August 2023, one notorious Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist identified as Mallam Abubakar Ali surrendered to troops with one AK 47 Rifle and 5 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo (refilled). Preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorist surrendered from Dalari in Bama LGA of Borno State.  Additionally, troops responded to information of presence of suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist at Shotorom Village in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorist. Following a fire fight, he said troops neutralized 3 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorist while others fled. Troops exploited the general area and recovered one AK 47 Rifle, 35 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo and a binding chain.

“In the course of operations, troops of Operation Safe Haven (North Central) within the week neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 13 suspected criminals, 5 kidnappers and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages”

“In the course operations, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (North Central) recovered one locally fabricated pistol, one GPMG barrel, one AK 47 magazine and barrel, one FN rifle   magazine, 2 rifle butts, 3 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 4 rounds of 9 mm ammo, 2 gas cylinders as well as tools used in fabricating firearms. Troops also neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 3 suspects and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages”

“In the course operations, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (North West) recovered 9 AK47 rifles, one PKT, one AK47 rifle loaded with 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 34 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 AK47 magazines, 4 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones, one woodland camouflage, one desert camouflage, one Nigerian Police uniform, 2 solar panels, foreign camouflage shirt and sum of N2,410,000. Troops also neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 8 suspects and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages”

“In the course of operation, troops of Operation Whirl Punch (North West) neutralized 4 terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, one fabricated weapon, one dummy rifle, 16 rounds of 5.56 x 45mm ammo, one magazine pouch, 4 trucks and 4 motorcycles amongst other items. Troops also arrested 44 terrorist collaborators and rescued 15 kidnapped civilians”

“In the course of operations, troops of Operation Delta Safe (South South) recovered one G3 rifle, 2 G3 magazines, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 motorola HH radio, one vehicle, 4 motorcycles, 13 mobile phones, one power bank and one ID card.

“In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA (South West) neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 2 criminals, apprehended 2 trucks loaded with illegally refined AGO and recued 4 kidnapped hostages” he said.

He applauded the determination and tenacity of the troops which according to him have continued to yield positive results thereby shrinking the space for perpetrators of insecurity in the country. 

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Nigeria’s Military Assure Civilians of Protection as it Conduct Operations against Criminal Elements Across the Nation