Troops neutralized 50 terrorists, destroy 44 illegal refineries, arrest 29-DHQ

CHIDIMMA UCHEGBU-Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said troops of operations HADIN KAI in the North-east and HADARIN DAJI in the North-west have killed over 32 Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists (ISWAP).

The military high command also said troops recovered the sum of sixteen million, four hundred and fifty two thousand, two hundred and thirty naira only (16, 452, and 230) from terrorists’ collaborators, logistics suppliers and gun runners in the last two weeks.

He also said 250 terrorists and their families comprising of 43 males, 80 females and 121 children surrendered to the troops at different locations within the theatre.

The military spokesperson also said troops equally arrested 8 other Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics suppliers at different locations within the theatre with items which includes; 61 jerricans of 30 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, various food items and medical supplies as well as other sundry items.

He added that another suspected terrorists collaborator was arrested at Maire in Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe state with the sum of N5,000,000.00 in his possession.

“In the same vein troops also rescued 29 family members of the Boko Haram Terrorists at Dissa village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. The rescued family members comprises of 2 adult male, 15 adult females and 12 children,” he said.

According to him all recovered items, arrested terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while the surrendered terrorists with their family members and rescued civilians are being profiled for further action.

He said: “Troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force conducted artillery fire bombardment as well as clearance operations of Mulimari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno state on 8 November 2022, following intelligence on the convergence of Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists at the location, troops engaged the terrorists who fled the area.

“Troops exploited the area and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 8 bicycles among other items. Also, on 3 November 2022, troops arrest a notorious Boko Haram terrorist logistic supplier who has been on troops watch list at his residence in Damboa Town Damboa Local Government Area of Borno of Borno State.

The Defence Headquarters said the troops of Operation Delta Safe and other subsidiary operations discovered and destroyed 44 illegal refining sites in the Niger Delta region in two weeks.

According to Danmadami, troops also apprehended 29 suspected oil thieves in land, maritime and air operations at creeks, villages, communities, waterways, cities and towns within Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.

He said the troops in the conduct of Operation ‘Octopus Grip’ discovered and destroyed 32 wooden boats, 73 storage tanks, 129 cooking ovens and 40 dugout pits.

He said the troops also recovered 512,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 114,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,000 liters of PMS, 40 vehicles, three motorcycles, three generators and five pumping machines.

“Troops also arrested 29 criminal elements and recovered 104 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“Notably, on Nov. 7, it conducted air interdiction at Abacheke, an identified illegal refining site where significant human activities were confirmed.

“Consequently, the target was engaged and destroyed while air strike led to an inferno that lasted for almost 24 hours,” he said.

In the South East, Danmadami said the military in conjunction with other security agencies had continued to curb the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.

He said the troops eliminated no fewer than 13 IPOB/ESN criminals and recovered arms and other items such as voter registration capturing machine of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Within the week in focus, troops neutralised 13 IPOB/ESN criminals, arrested six including their herbalist.

“Troops equally recovered eight AK47 rifles, seven pump action guns, three locally made pistols, one sniper rifle, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, eight rounds of 9mm ammunition and five cartridges.

“Other items recovered are three pairs of combat boots, two pairs of camouflage uniforms and two camouflage jungle hats.

“Also recovered are two CCTV cameras, one INEC image capturing machine, one INEC box, two walkie talkies, transistor radio, three solar panels, motorcycles, vehicles among other items.

“All apprehended criminals and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.

In South West, Danmadami said the troops of operation AWATSE in the conduct of operation ‘Swift Response’ recovered 865 bags of 50kg foreign rice, and 505 (30ltrs) jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit.

He said that all recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Custom Services in Ogun and Lagos for further action. END