The military will persist in pursuing assertive military actions against violent extremist factions aiming to destabilize the nation’s security and perpetrate harm against its populace. Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, communicated this stance on Thursday, August 31, 2023, during a media interaction regarding the ongoing military campaigns undertaken by Nigeria’s armed forces.
Buba emphasized that the armed forces remained resolute in their primary objective and would continuously fine-tune their strategies to better safeguard citizens.
This approach, he said, involved isolating and eradicating groups that posed a security threat to the nation.
He further disclosed that as part of Operation HADIN KAI, the armed forces had successfully retrieved the following items over the specified timeframe: 6 AK47 rifles, one HK21 gun, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one improvised firearm, 11 AK47 magazines, 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 17 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one bandolier, 7 empty casings of 7.62mm special ammunition, 5 motorcycles, 8 mobile phones, and a sum of N368,950.
Additionally, Buba reported that 11 terrorists were neutralized, 45 apprehended, and 34 kidnapped hostages rescued by the Operation HADIN KAI troops.
Buba elaborated that Operation SAFE HAVEN troops managed to recover 3 AK47 rifles, one homemade AK47-style rifle, one makeshift pistol, one dane gun, and 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
During their operations, they eliminated 2 armed individuals, saved 3 hostages, and detained 15 suspected criminals.
The Director of Defence Media Operations also detailed the achievements of Operation WHIRL STROKE, which encompassed the retrieval of a FN rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 2 mobile phones, 4 motorcycles, and a sum of N3,450. In the same breath, he revealed that 2 terrorists were neutralized, 11 suspects apprehended, and 6 kidnapped hostages liberated.
Buba highlighted that Operation HADARIN DAJI troops eradicated 12 terrorists, arrested 33 more, rescued 40 kidnapped hostages, and secured 3 AK47 rifles.
The troops also seized 18 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones.
The operations under Operation DELTA SAFE resulted in the destruction of 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats, and 34 illegal refining sites.
In addition, they confiscated 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illicitly refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 59,500 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The operation led to the arrest of 16 suspected oil thieves.
Buba shared that Operation UDO KA’s troops managed to reclaim 2 locally crafted pistols, 2 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a live cartridge, and a pair of canvas shoes.
This operation also saw the elimination of 3 terrorists, the arrest of 23 suspected criminals, and the successful rescue of 12 kidnapped hostages.
All confiscated items, detained suspects, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further legal proceedings.
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