Two people have been arrested by troops for allegedly impersonating the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
The duo, who were nabbed in Utesi, Ovia Southwest of Edo State are currently undergoing investigation before they would be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Their arrest is contained in a statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja.
In the statement which highlighted the activities by the troops in the past weeks, Onoja also revealed that on December 3, two passengers with N9 million intended for payment of ransom for the release of six of their adopted children nabbed at a checkpoint in Kadage in Igabi council of Kaduna State.
Troops, according to the Defence Media Operations director, also killed several terrorists and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from them.
The troops also arrested criminals and terrorist collaborators, rescued some kidnap victims during operations in five out of the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Besides, they seized 652,000 litres of stolen crude, arrested five suspects and destroyed three illegal refining sites.
In the Northeast, many Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) fighters were killed, weapons recovered, and three kidnap victims rescued.
Also, troops repelled an ISWAP attack on a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Mairari, striking a blow to the group’s capability.
According to the statement, terrorists tried to breach the base with two Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), but were detected and neutralised.
“The operation led to multiple terrorist casualties and seized weapons, ammunition, and logistics,” the statement said.
According to the statement, troops discovered and safely detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) along the Damboa–Komala axis, thereby ensuring the safety of commuters.
They also intercepted a Lagos-registered vehicle along the Maiduguri–Bama Road conveying suspected logistics supplies for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and arrested two suspects.
“Also, seven of their collaborators, informants, sympathisers and spies were arrested, while three kidnapped victims were rescued,” it said.
In the Northwest, troops conducted offensive operations in Zurmi, Maradun, Maru and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Zamfara State; Kachia, Kaura and Igabi LGAs of Kaduna State; Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State; Wasagu and Bagudo LGAs of Kebbi State; Malumfashi and Rafi LGAs of Katsina and Niger States.
According to the statement, during December 12 to 17operations, troops killed several terrorists, arrested eight others, rescued four kidnap victims, and recovered weapons, vehicles, livestock, and other household items.
The statement said that troops of Operation Enduring Peace conducted operations between December 13 and 18 in Bassa, Jos North, Riyom, Jos South, Mangu and Jos East of Plateau State, as well as Kaura, Sanga, Jema’a and Kafanchan LGAs of Kaduna State. Several terrorists were neutralised, 16 suspects arrested, and 19 kidnap victims rescued.
It said: “Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States between December 13 and 17, conducted several offensive operations to various kidnappers’ hideouts in Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, Awe and Obi LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Apa, Otukpo, Guma, Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
“They responded to distress calls on kidnapping activities in Takum, Wukari and Karim Lamido LGAs of Taraba State, as well as Lokoja, Ijumu, Kabba, Kogi, Ifelodun and Eru LGAs of Kogi and Kwara States, respectively. During the operations, troops arrested eight suspected kidnappers, while 43 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arms and ammunition, motorcycles and other items were also recovered.”
On operations against oil theft, the statement said that in the Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, covering Bayelsa, Delta, Imo and Rivers states, troops foiled oil theft valued at over ₦15,697,975 during the week.
It stated that during air and land operations conducted between December 13 and 17 in Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opukuma LGAs of Bayelsa State, as well as Okrika and Oyigbo LGAs of Rivers State, troops arrested nine criminal suspects, including three suspected gunrunners found in possession of arms and ammunition.
On operations in the Southeast, the statement said troops of Operation UDOKA conducted offensive operations within the region and encountered Indigenous People of Biafra/ Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters.
“ For instance, between December 12 and 15, troops arrested four suspected criminals in Ihiala, Ogbaru and Onitsha North LGAs of Anambra State,” the statement said.
