The Defence Headquarters has announced that troops eliminated several terrorists, took down high-profile insurgent leaders, and freed dozens of kidnapped victims during military operations carried out across the country over the past week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja while briefing journalists on military activities conducted between February 28 and March 6.
Onoja also revealed that troops intercepted roughly 51,000 litres of stolen crude oil within the same period.
According to him, the coordinated operations were carried out across different theatres of operation and targeted terrorists, kidnappers, crude oil thieves, and other criminal elements posing threats to national security.
He explained that troops of the Joint Task Force North East, operating under Operation HADIN KAI, stepped up offensive actions against terrorists linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The troops, he said, neutralised several terrorists, arrested 20 suspects, secured the surrender of 11 insurgents along with their family members, and rescued 24 kidnapped victims.
“Notably, the air component conducted precision strikes on terrorist enclaves in the Sambisa Forest, which neutralised key terrorist ring leaders identified as Saddam, Saleh Garin Kago and Ba Alayi Benbem, alongside fighter Hussaini Ubaida.
“Human intelligence further indicates that over 18 terrorist commanders and 42 fighters were eliminated during the strike,” he said.
Onoja further stated that troops thwarted attempted terrorist attacks in Bama and Nganzai Local Government Areas of Borno State, recovering arms, ammunition, armed drones, anti-tank bombs, and materials used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
In the North-West theatre, he noted that troops under Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised several terrorists, arrested eight suspects, and rescued five hostages during coordinated operations across Zamfara State and Kaduna State.
He added that troops also intercepted weapons and 542 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a bag of rice during a stop-and-search operation.
Onoja said troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD operating in Niger State and Kwara State killed more than 17 terrorists during a fierce gun battle in Roguwa Forest located in Patigi Local Government Area of Niger.
He added that troops also intercepted eight 50-kg bags of ammonium chloride, a chemical substance commonly used in producing improvised explosive devices.
In the North-Central region, he said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested 12 suspected terrorists in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“Items recovered from the suspects include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, mobile phones and the sum of N645,000.
“Preliminary exploitation of their phones revealed suspicious coded contacts linked to criminal networks,” he said.
Onoja added that troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE arrested suspected arms traffickers in Kaduna and Plateau State, recovering locally fabricated rifles and other weapons.
In the South-South region, he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE intensified operations targeting crude oil theft and illegal refining activities.
According to him, troops dismantled four illegal refining sites, arrested seven suspects, and intercepted large volumes of stolen petroleum products.
“On Feb. 27, troops intercepted a wooden boat carrying about 45,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil near Cool Beach in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“In total, about 50,970 litres of stolen crude oil and illegally refined products were recovered during the week,” he said.
Onoja also noted that troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East maintained operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
He said troops arrested five suspected terrorists and recovered weapons, foreign currency, and other incriminating items during clearance operations carried out in Imo State, Cross River State, and Abia State.
Onoja further disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, commended the bravery and professionalism displayed by troops across all operational theatres.
He added that the CDS also encouraged Nigerians to continue supporting the Armed Forces by providing credible intelligence to help sustain the fight against terrorism and other security challenges across the country.
