Troops neutralize 165 terrorists, arrest 273 criminal suspects in nationwide operations In a continued

In a continue effort to combat insecurity, Nigerian Armed Forces have neutralized 165 terrorists and arrested 273 individuals, including oil thieves and economic saboteurs, in various operations across the country within the past seven days.

Additionally, troops rescued 188 kidnapped victims and thwarted the theft of crude oil worth ₦688.32 million.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the military’s success in disrupting criminal activities, noting that troops destroyed 65 illegal refining sites and recovered 789,200 liters of stolen crude oil, 64,950 liters of illegally refined diesel, and numerous other materials, including boats, storage tanks, and vehicles.

During these operations, the military recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 rounds of ammunition. These included 81 AK-47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, and a variety of other arms and ammunition. Additionally, security forces seized 19 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 45 mobile phones, and ₦64,100 in cash.

Northeast: Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 83 terrorists, arrested 56 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages. Among the weapons seized were 18 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, and 13 fabricated rifles. Troops also recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition and multiple vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones.

In Borno State’s Biu Local Government Area, six collaborators of Boko Haram and ISWAP were arrested, along with 38 rounds of ammunition. In separate operations in Damboa and Konduga, 25 terrorists were neutralized and large quantities of arms were seized.

North Central: In Operation Safe Haven, troops neutralized eight extremists, arrested 39 suspects, and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages. In Kaduna and Plateau states, multiple arrests and rescues were made during firefights with violent extremists, and weapons were recovered, including AK-47 rifles and magazines.

Northwest: Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralized 40 terrorists, arrested 21 suspects, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages in Zamfara, Kaduna, and other states. Notable among the operations was an airstrike on the enclave of a notorious terrorist commander in Zamfara State, which resulted in the destruction of the terrorist hideout and the neutralization of several combatants.

South-South: Operation Delta Safe saw troops intercept oil thieves and economic saboteurs. Over 789,000 liters of stolen crude oil were recovered, along with significant quantities of illegally refined diesel. The troops also destroyed numerous illegal refining sites and recovered boats, vehicles, and weapons.

Southeast: In Operation Udoka, troops neutralized nine terrorists, arrested 21 violent extremists, and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages. Multiple weapons, including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and ammunition, were recovered. Additionally, airstrikes targeted IPOB/ESN terrorist camps, eliminating several fighters and destroying their logistics.

Major General Buba emphasized the military’s ongoing success in dismantling the operational capabilities of various terror groups and reiterated the commitment to protecting citizens and securing the nation. The military also warned against inflammatory comments or actions that could hinder ongoing operations, cautioning that such actions would have severe consequences.

The general concluded that significant progress was being made across all theaters of operations, with the neutralization of high-profile terrorist commanders, such as the notorious Mai Hijabi in Jigawa State, as a notable victory in the fight against insecurity.