…as soldiers destroys 73, illegal refineries, kills 181, terrorists in one week
The Defence Headquarters(DHQ), Thursday said it has deployed a good number of troops to support police efforts at ensuring a crisis free governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday.
It also said the deployment of troops to the state is aimed at providing a secure environment to enable citizens to vote freely without fear harassment or intimidation, while deterring any disruptive elements.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made made this known, also said that said already, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced the airlifting of sensitive electoral materials to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Gen. Buba, in a statement on update of military operations conducted across the country in the last one week, said soldiers on counter insurgency and other security operations, killed 88 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, arrested 228 individuals, and rescued 181 kidnapped victims in the last one week.
He also said that troops in the Niger delta region discovered and destroyed 59 illegal refining sites, 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks, 3 barges, 7 speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, 5 pumping machines, 3 mobile phones 9 vehicles among others.
Giving an update on military operations conducted within the period, Buba, said “Troops are on an onslaught to crush terrorist in the NW and other parts of the country. Accordingly, operations are being modified to box in these terrorists, while also increasing operational intensity to ensure total destruction of all terror groups and dismantling of their terror networks.
Director Defence Media Operations Major General
“Troops are also deployed in strength to provided assistance to the police in ensuring a hitch free off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, slated for 16 Nov 24. Indeed, troops presence is to ensure security of citizens enabling them to cast their votes without any form of harassment or intimidation, while keeping mischief makers at bay. The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral material in support of INEC
“Meanwhile, during the week under review, troops neutralised 88 and arrested 228 persons. Troops also arrested 40 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Two Four Million Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,021,412,950.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 34 AK47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 dane guns, 5 fabricated revolver pistol, 8 locally made pistols, 3 pump action guns and one magnum pump action.
“Others are: 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammo, 77 rounds of 9mm ammo, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones and the sum of N1,851,000.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks and 59 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 barges, 7 speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, 5 pumping machines, 3 mobile phones and 9 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,980 litres of PMS.
“Overall, troops offensives has severely depleted ISWAP terrorist rank and file in the NE forcing a desperate recruitment drive. Similarly, terrorist in the NW are on a recruitment drive on social media for new recruits. Troops are aware of the situation and working with other security agencies and governments to thwart the plans”.
DailySun