The Nation Newspaper

Tag: military

  • Shettima rallies support for military

    BORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima has called for a collective support to the military for a successful campaign against Boko Haram insurgents.

    Shettima made the appeal during the extraordinary security meeting of stakeholders on New Year Eve in Maiduguri, the state capital.

    The governor, with the stakeholders met all night to proffer a lasting solution to the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state.

    Shettima called on the people to unite, irrespective of their differences, rally round the military, police and other security agencies, to effectively end Boko Haram insurgency and restore peace.

    He said: “The realities are that while so much was achieved by our gallant military; we are today faced with serious challenges in Borno State, these challenges should strengthen our abiding faith and resolve to continually do whatever we could in support of our military, the police, the Department of the State Security Service (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), paramilitary agencies and political authorities at the federal level, to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “I have met the President a number of times, including few weeks ago. I have led our national assembly members to the President and in all our discussions, we all saw on the face, in words and actions of the President, absolute sincerity in terms of his deep concern, his empathy and his compassion towards our plight in the northeast, particularly in Borno.

    “The President is without the slightest doubt, devoted to the fight against Boko Haram insurgency. I believe that service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director-General of the DSS and other heads of paramilitary agencies share the commitments of the President.

    “Most importantly, troops on the frontlines have laid down their lives, proved their commitment in the service of our country and in obedience to the President.

    “This fight is a collective one that affects all of us, we all have a stake in the peace and stability of Borno and this is why we chose to hold an extraordinary security meeting with carefully chosen participants”.

    The governor noted that the participants would deliberate on the situations and come up with recommendations to be presented to the president.

    He said that his administration had executed viable projects to fast track reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons; enhance peace restoration and return of civil authorities in the war ravaged communities.

    According to him, over 30,000 residential homes, schools, clinics, palaces, water points, markets, security posts and religious places of worships, were reconstructed to complement Federal Government’s efforts to restore peace and address the humanitarian crisis caused by the insurgency.

    At the meeting were: heads of the military and security agencies, leadership of the CJTF, traditional rulers, elders, senators, members of House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.

    Other participants were selected local council chairmen, commissioners; leadership of the University of Maiduguri and selected tertiary institutions, representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Council of Women Societies and the Nigerian Legion.

  • Boko Haram attacks: Shettima, military meet today

    BORNO State Governor Kashim Shettima will today chair an extra-ordinary security meeting to discuss the rising wave of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the past few weeks in the Northwest State.

    The meeting is coming in the wake of plans by troops of the Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with the state government to relocate residents of Baga to safe locations because of the on-going military operations in the area.

    It is also coming on the heels of a warning by the military against insinuations capable of causing panic and displacement in resettled communities in Borno State, the epicentre of the insurgency.

    Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, issued the warning in a statement issued in Maiduguri yesterday.

    The colonel said that the army had received reports indicating that some unscrupulous elements were instigating residents of Bama, Dikwa and Monguno to abandon their homes and relocate to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state.

    According to him, inhabitants of the affected communities have no reason to abandon their homes as such insinuations are instigated for undisclosed reasons.

    He said the army and other security agencies would shed more light on the situation at the extraordinary security meeting to be  conveyed by Governor Shettima.

    He said: “We will like to further state that there is no basis for the people of Bama, Dikwa and Monguno to vacate their respective communities.

    “However, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with Borno State government are working toward relocating residents of Baga to safer locations in view of the ongoing military operations in the area.

    “Members of the public are advised to remain calm as the military is in firm control to guarantee their safety and security. We will like to warn that any attempt to cause further panic through false alarm would be viewed very seriously,’’ Nwachukwu said.

    Governor Shettima had called for a security meeting scheduled for Monday  (today)  to address the resurgence of Boko Haram insurgents’ attacks in the past few weeks in the state.

    Statistics by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) showed that 2, 046 displaced persons were profiled at IDPs camp in Maiduguri in the past few days due to insurgents’ attack in Baga, northern Borno.

     

    Air Force strikes insurgents in Baga

    The Nigerian Air Force yesterday said scores of Boko Haram terrorists have been neutralised at their hideouts near Baga, in the northern part of Borno State.

    A statement by Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said the insurgents were attacked with Alpha jets, following an intelligence reports confirming their presence in the area.

    Air Commodore Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has neutralised several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters at their hideout near Baga in Northern Borno State.

    “The attack was conducted yesterday, 29 December 2018, after a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform spotted the terrorists assembled under some trees around the Fish Dam near Baga.

    “The ATF therefore dispatched an Alpha Jet aircraft to attack the location.

    “The aircraft multiple attacks pass, killing several of the terrorists and causing serious injuries to others. The surviving terrorists were mopped-up in subsequent follow on strikes.”

  • Military, police begin manhunt for Badeh’s killers

    THE military and the police have launched a probe into the murder of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd) – an incident that has shocked eminent Nigerians.

    Some crack detectives have been deployed in Nasarawa State by Inspector-General (IG) Idris Kpotun Ibrahim.

    More details emerged yesterday on the murder of the former Chief of  Air Staff,  with the  Nasarawa State Police Command confirming that his driver survived the attack.

    A friend of Badeh, who was also in the car, was abducted by the gunmen.

    The police and security agents are searching for the abducted friend.

    The details were contained in a statement on the preliminary investigation into the murder.

    The statement said: “The former CDS suffered gunshot injury which resulted to his death,while his driver was injured and the said friend abducted.

    “The corpse of the late Air Chief Marshal and the injured driver have been taken to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Hospital, Abuja.”

    The statement confirmed that the probe of the incident was ongoing with the visit to scene of the murder by the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State Yahaya Bello and some senior military personnel.

    The statement added: Following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State and some senior military personnel have visited the scene alongside IGP’s Intelligence Response Team ([RT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS), who are to carry out discrete investigation into the case.

    “The Police Command, Nigerian Army and Air Force personnel led by Deputy Commissioner of Police are in the area immediately the incident occurred with a view to rescuing the abducted person and arrest the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

    The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State has called on members of the public with useful information that can aid the ongoing investigation to come forward with it or contact GSM lines 0803304I306 and 08033097663.

    He said such information shall be treated with utmost confidentiality.

    It was also learnt that pressure was being mounted on the deceased’s wife, Mary Iya Badeh and children to return to Nigeria for burial.

    Members of the family relocated abroad following the investigation and trial of the former CDS.

    Alex Badeh Jr. was grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with the alleged N3.97 billion fraud involving the late CDS.

    But the son later managed to escape abroad.

    Read also: Gunmen kill ex-Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh

    Badeh’s wife and daughter reside in the United States (U.S.). The whereabouts of others were unknown as at press time.

    A top intelligence source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said a comprehensive investigation into the killing of the ex-CDS has started.

    As at press time, some associates and relations of the ex-CDS have got in touch with his wife and children on the need to return home to bury the patriarch of the family.

    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commiserated with the family of the late four-star general, his friends and professional colleagues in the military, and the people and government of Adamawa State.

    Noting that the late Badeh, who was also a former Chief of Air Staff, attained professional fulfilment in his over three decades military career, Buhari regretted that he fell victim to incidence of violent and fatal attacks on the nation’s highways.

    He directed security agencies to find the killers of the 15th Chief of Defence Staff and bring them to face the law.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan extended his condolences to the Nigeria military, the entire people of Adamawa State and the family of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff.

    Jonathan, according to a statement by his spokesman, Ilechukwu Eze, noted that Badeh, who served his administration as both Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Defence Staff, served the nation to the best of his abilities.

    Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow described the late former Chief of Defense Staff as a personality, who will be highly missed, especially the people of Adamawa State, who took much pride in him as an illustrious kinsman.

    Badeh hailed from a community near Mubi, Adamawa State’s leading commercial town and Bindow home.

    The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, described Badeh’s murder as “crude and senseless”.

  • Military arrests 266, recovers 230 arms

    •Delta JTF commander cleared of theft

    The military yesterday said it arrested 266 suspected criminals and recovered 230 arms in Operation 777 in Niger Delta.

    It absolved Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Delta Safe (ODS), Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, of allegations of crude oil theft.

    Acting Director of Defence Information Brig.-Gen. John Agim, who spoke at JTF Headquarters in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said after investigation, the JTF commander was found to be innocent.

    Gen. Agim, who was with Suleiman, said the allegations were evidence of criminals fighting back to discourage the war against crude oil theft.

    He said: “Let me report that sometime in August, the Defence Headquarters received a petition against the Force Commander, OPDS, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, of some wrong doing. The Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. A.G Olonisakin, constituted a committee to investigate the allegations. I am proud to announce that the panel’s findings shows that the allegations are false. In fact, it was criminality fighting back.

    “The findings also show that the Standing Operation Procedure established by the Commander and his team has been responsible for the successes recorded by OPDS and now Operation 777”.

    The military chief added that Operation 777 led to the recovery of 230 different types of arms, 240 assorted ammunitions, 11 barges, 101 outboard engines and 78 other boats.

    Other items included 13 tanker trucks, 51 other vehicles, 135 pumping machines and 34 generating sets.

    According to him, one of the most wanted militants and a member of “Kill and Bury” gang, Gift Apollo, was arrested at Okarki in Bayelsa State. He said the group was responsible for the death of soldiers deployed in Abua/Oduma in August.

    Gen. Agim noted that the operation rescued seven Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) maintenance workers kidnapped while carrying out an assessment of a ruptured well head in Azuzuama, Bayelsa.

    He said: “Since the launch of Operation 777, the Task Force has destroyed 436 illegal refineries. Also destroyed were 609 Cotonou boats; 1,507 surface tanks and 1,538 drums used for illegal bunkering. Furthermore, Operation Delta Safe arrested 266 persons for various crimes, and they have been handed over to the appropriate government agencies for prosecution.”

    Over 40 disputes were resolved amicably and the troops recorded minimal cases of human rights abuses occasioned by confrontation with troops by aggrieved communities, Gen. Agim added.

     

  • Military arrests 38 suspected vandals, others

    •120,000 litres of petrol recovered

    Thirty-eight suspected pipeline vandals and cultists have been arrested since October by the operatives attached to Operation AWATSE, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said yesterday.

    It said the Joint Task Force (JTF) operating in Lagos and Ogun states recovered 120,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), three tankers, a trailer and seven vehicles used by vandals to siphon petroleum products.

    Spokesman Brig.-Gen. John Agim, who briefed reporters in Lagos on the gains recorded, attributed the success to the rejigging of operations.

    Agim, who said 12 of the 38 suspects were vandals, added that the task force destroyed nine wooden boats within the period.

    He said: “Since the beginning of Operation 777 on October 8 to rejig our operations, Operation AWATSE activities have been intensified through patrols to ensure that troops dominate the Joint Operations Area (JOA). Operation AWATSE troops have dominated FESTAC, Ijeododo, Ijagemo, Isawo, Majidun, Arepo, Elepete and Imagbon. Regular patrols are being conducted in other areas left uncovered due to shortage of manpower.

    “Operational activities are aimed at denying criminals freedom of action and migration, and making arrests where possible. The activities include patrols, ground and air reconnaissance, anti-bunkering and anti-cultism operations, including show of force.

    “These operations have suppressed the activities of miscreants and led to the arrest of suspected pipeline vandals, cultists, robbers and others. Large volumes of petroleum products and other items have been recovered from vandals and oil thieves in areas such as Atlas Cove, Magboro, Ogijo, Akute-Odo, Isashi Akute and Akute Waterside. The intention is to maintain the current tempo of operations in the JOA to ensure the activities of miscreants are mitigated.

    “Most of the suspects have been handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution, while the Headquarters 81 Division Provost is investigating some cases.

    “It is pertinent to state that some of the achievements recorded by Operation AWATSE were made possible by the support of indigenes. This is no doubt an indication of the willingness on the part of the good residents of Lagos and Ogun states to live in a society devoid of crime.”

    On what the military intended to do with seized vehicles and properties, Agim said the Federal Government would take a decision on them, adding that they had been documented and sent to the government for action.

    Read also: NYSC DG, 229 others promoted by Army

    He said most of the vehicles were abandoned by the vandals, who fled upon sighting security operatives, noting that they neither had number plates nor vehicle papers.

    Agim assured residents that security operatives were on ground to protect them from militants.

    He urged them to give information to the ground commanders.

    On the allegations that soldiers were fleeing the Northeast, Agim said the military was not aware of such, adding that it would handle the case in its traditional way, should this occur.

    He urged journalists to support the troops by ensuring that their stories were not tailored to support the terrorists.

    Agim said: “People do not want this war to end. The hotels in Borno have been booked mostly by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for 10 years. Some people are benefiting from the war and they do not want it to end.

    “It is possible that some soldiers may run, but so far, we have not seen anyone fleeing. In the military, we have a way of dealing with cowardice. We do not talk about it because we don’t want to create fear in those to be deployed there. This is our country; we do not have another place to go.”

     

     

     

  • 8 killed as Boko Haram lunches fresh attack on military base in Yobe

    Suspected armed Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday night lunched a daring attack on a military base located at Buni Gari, Yobe State.

    Buni Gari is less than 5km away from 27 Task Force Brigade of the Nigeria Army located in Buni Yadi which is just about 50km away from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

    A reliable security source informed that two soldiers got killed in the attack, just as six Boko Haram insurgents were also killed by the troops.

    “We lost two soldiers but we killed six of the bastards,” the source said.

    A resident who identified himself as Babagana said they all ran out of the town for fear after sounds of sporadic gunshots from the military base located in the southeast of the town.

    Babagana has also informed that most of the residents that ran out of the town have returned with the army taking full charge of the area

    There was serious reinforcement from the 27 Task Force Brigade therefore the terrorists couldn’t make any impact,” a soldier confidentially informed.

    The Nation  recalled that the insurgents have lunched a similar attack on a military location along the same axis in Katarko on November, 7th,  2018 where they went on rampage setting the military base ablaze and some part of the village.

  • Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja Crisis: Delta community pleads for extension of military exercise

    The Ogbe-Ijoh Traditional Council of Chiefs in Warri South-West council area of Delta state has pleaded with the state government and the Nigerian Army authorities to extend the duration of the Exercise Crocodile Smile 3 in their area for the sustenance of peace and security.
    The council, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Chief Anthony Jolomi, noted that the the kingdom, especially in its headquarters, Ogbe-Ijoh, had experienced the sort of peace and calm that had eluded it over the years, especially since the bloody communal crisis between it and the neighbouring Aladja community in Udu council area erupted.
    It would be recalled that the Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja communal crisis had lasted for more than two decades, claiming several lives and led to the destruction of multi-million naira properties on both sides.
    The Exercise Crocodile Smile 3, which was kicked off on October 22, 2018, was designed to fight criminals in the country, as well as engender peace and communal harmony from community to community, and was meant to last for one month.
    However, the traditional leadership of Ogbe-Ijoh community, in its statement over the weekend, after commending both the Delta state government and the Nigerian Army, expressed its appreciation for the gains so far made out of the last one month of the exercise and demanded that it be extended in the Ogbe-Ijoh/Aladja axis.
    It also requested that a permanent military base be established in the border between their communities.
    “Your excellency sir, we want to particularly thank you for the extension of stay by the detachment of operation crocodile smile III sent by the federal government in collaboration with the Delta state government to restore total peace in Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja communities.
    “As a people, we want to thank the Nigerian military, especially the chief of army staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai for his swift response. Like Oliver twist, we want to ask that the operation crocodile smile III sent to restore normalcy in the area should continue.
    “The people of Ogbe-Ijoh are so happy, we can now sleep with our two eyes closed, all thanks to the military that have truly brought peace to our community. Peace is truly what we need and not violence.
    “It would be recalled that the operation crocodile smile III was declared as a military exercise charged with the responsibility to quell any clash, it was billed to last for a month, it started on October 22nd 2018 and November 22nd makes it one month already. We are so happy that they are still around, we want to believe that they will continue to stay in order to safeguard us.
    “The military is truly working, we can’t really thank them enough, we are ever ready to cooperate with them whenever it is needed. We are also appealing to the Delta state government to please establish a military base in between the two towns. This we believe will put to rest the incessant attacks,” the council stated.

  • Metele attack: Surviving soldiers accuse military authorities of procuring obsolete weapons

    Some soldiers who survived the attack by Boko Haram on the military formation in Metele have sent an SOS to President Muhammadu Buhari, urging him to probe the quality of weapons procured by the military authorities and save them from further avoidable deaths.

    In a video sent to journalists  in Maiduguri, the soldiers accused the military authorities of providing  them with obsolete weapons, which they said are grossly inadequate  to effectively confront the insurgents in the ongoing counter insurgency campaign in the Northeast.

    In the  amateur video footage, the soldiers also  levelled allegations against the military authorities accusing them of negligence which resulted into the death of scores of their colleagues  in a  series of  attacks coordinated by the Albarnawi faction of the Boko Haram at Metele in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno.

    Foreign wire agencies reported that dozens of soldiers were killed when the insurgents attacked Metele military base on November 18.

    In the video, two soldiers, who claimed to be among the survivors of the attack, narrated the precarious condition of the troops and obsolete equipment which made it difficult for them to repel the insurgents’ attack.

    The video footage showed the level of destruction of military equipment and makeshift shelters,  while soldiers were seen packing their luggages, apparently preparing to live the camp.

    In the video, the soldiers appealed to President Buhari—they repeatedly appealed to him— to intervene to save the situation from deteriorating.

    “See what the Nigerian Army has been doing to us, they brought us here.  See how they killed our fellow soldiers, they burn them inside the tanks”, a narrator in the video said.

    “They are using us to make money; why? Are we not human beings? They can kill soldiers inside a tank; if Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) can penetrate M-RAG vehicle, what of a fellow human being?

    “This is the location called ‘Metele’, This is a place they (the insurgents) took over 40 barrel and these people want to use us, and within one week they killed over 200 soldiers and we are now 147, they want to waste us here. It is a lie, our blood is not here.

    “This is a Third World vehicle, a tank manufactured in 1972; and Albarnawi broke all of it.They want to use us and we are not getting anything from them.We  want to tell the government of our condition.

    “Please; the Federal Government should intervene before the insurgents come and kill us. They mocked us and said we are Zombies; animals, we do not know our rights, any order given to us we will follow.

    “We are millennium soldiers, most of us are graduates.

    “Look at what they did to this T12 tank; it is obsolete. It was a 1983 Czechoslovakian  tank procured during Shagari’s regime. Is this the money the Federal Government provided to procure weapons?

    “All the equipment are not working. When it fired two shots it stopped. All the weapons are obsolete and bought during Shagari(1979-1983).

    “We know about the money the Federal Government gave to them but the Nigerian Army had turned us into a business”.

    “All the money federal government gave them to buy weapons… Nigerian Army is buying INNOSON…. All these are obsolete… Oyinbo came here and said they are obsolete. All these weapons were bought during the Shagari regime in 1983… They have turned us to business…. Federal Government you will hear about it….

    “All these weapons are not genuine…if you fire two times you have stoppages. This is 1983 when Shagari was head of state… Federal Government give them money, they go and buy INNOSON, Nigerian made… Federal Government please help us. Help us.”

    The  Nigeria Army on Friday,  confirmed on its Twitter handle  the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele, on November 18 by Boko Haram insurgents.

    However, the military authorities response, which came five days after, was short on details and the extent of casualties.

    The army said that it has laid down procedures for reporting incidents that involve its personnel who become casualties in action, as a form of  respect to the families of the gallant troops.

    It noted that the families were first to be notified before any form of public information so as to avoid exacerbating their grief were they to discover it from unofficial sources.

    “It is suffice to observe that several social media, print and online publications have been brandishing false casualty figures as well as circulating various footages of old and inaccurate Boko Haram terrorists’ propaganda videos, and alluding it to be the attack on 157 Task Force Battalion.

    “While; it is understandable how such misinformation can spread in this era of social media frenzy, the spurious circulation of some of these videos only contribute to further propagate the propaganda intent of the terrorists, misinform the populace and portray themselves as what they are not?

    “So far, the situation in the location is under control as reinforcing units had been able to repel the terrorists and stabilize the situation.

    In his reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed deep shock over the killing of military personnel in Metele village  by Boko Haram terrorists.

    He gave an  assurance that immediate measures are being taken to ensure that the loopholes which led to the fatalities are blocked once and for all.

    Reacting to the tragic incident, the President said that his administration remains ever committed and focused on the security of military personnel and other citizens.

    According to President Buhari, “No responsible Commander-in-Chief would rest on his oars or fold his hands to allow terrorists to endanger the lives of its military personnel and other citizens. Our loyal forces have proved their strength over the terrorists and we are ready to give them all the needed support in terms of equipment and manpower to succeed in ending the renewed threat. In the coming days, I am engaging the Military and Intelligence Chiefs in extensive discussions on the next steps we shall be taking.”

    The President noted that fighting terrorism has taken a global dimension, which necessitates international collaboration among states facing similar security challenges.

    President Buhari reassured Nigerians of his continued commitment to their security and of his efforts to sustain the momentum in the previous significant successes recorded against the terrorists.

    He, however, advised Nigerians against making a political capital out of national tragedy, stressing that members of the armed forces are one family who are commonly committed to the security and safety of all Nigerians.

    (NAN)

  • Key leader of Leah’s abductors killed, says military

    The Nigerian Military yesterday claimed that it has killed one of the leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Boko Haram factional group believed to have abducted Leah Sharibu.

    A statement from the Nigerian Army (NA) said that the ISWAP media chief, Ahmad Sale, was neutralised in an operation by own troops in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.

    According to it, “Reports available reveal that one Sale Ahmad Sale a. k. a. Baban Hassan, the leader of Al-Barnawi media group, a faction of Boko Haram was killed by a joint operation conducted by the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.”

    The Army added, “The killing of the media leader is indicative of efforts by the NA to eliminate key members of the sect.

    “It is worthy to note that the sect is directly affiliated to the Islamic State and has carried out several attacks against own troops and innocent civilians in the past.”

    The Army stressed that the death of the group’s media leader has shown that the leadership of the terrorist group was being targeted successfully by the military.

    It assured that other key members of the group would soon be apprehended or killed adding that it has identified the new leader of another terrorist group – Jama’atu Nus’ratul-Islami Wal-Muslimina, Abul-Fadl Iyad Gali.

  • Military launches ‘Operation 777’ to restructure security plans

    THE Military has launched “Operation 777” aimed at restructuring ongoing security operations across the country.

    Such military operations include those designed to checkmate criminal activities, including the Boko Haram insurgency, armed banditry, kidnapping, militancy and crude oil theft.

    Briefing reporters on the new operation yesterday at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja, Acting Director Defence Information (DDI) Brig.-Gen. John Agim said Operation 777 began on October 10.

    Some of the ongoing operations meant to be restructured by operation 777 include “Whirle Punch”, to fight banditry and armed robbery on the Abuja-Kaduna road, as well as Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State.

    The others are “Delta Safe” to tackle oil theft, bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, and “Awatse” designed to check pipeline vandalism in Lagos and Ogun states.

    Among them also are “Operations Safe Haven in Plateau, Bauchi and part of Kaduna State, “Sharan Daji”, which was set up to fight armed banditry in the Northwest and “Clearance” to fight kidnapping in Kogi.

    In Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba states is “Operation Whirle Stroke”, fighting herdsmen/farmers clashes and banditry.

    According to the DDI, operation 777 is running concurrently with the existing operations and designed to consolidate on their achievements.

    “The operation is also geared toward enhancing a conducive and stable environment for socio-economic activities and safety of Nigerians, as well as preventing bandits and outlaws from escaping to other peaceful areas.

    “Consequently, the operation is expected to raise the confidence of the public in the affected states, particularly the IDPs to return back to their homes,” Agim said.

    He said since operation 777 commenced two weeks ago, a lot of achievement had been recorded, including the recovery of large cache of arms, arrest of suspects, while several others were neutralised.

    Agim listed the recovered weapons as five AK47 rifles, 20 bow and arrow, 113 of 7.62mm live ammunition, 20 live cartridges and four rifle magazines.

    He put the number of neutralised suspects as 35.

    He added that 98 bandits/criminals were arrested since the operation commenced, adding that the suspects had been handed over to the police for prosecution.

    Agim noted that 419 rustled cattle, 405 sheep and 101 goats were also recovered and handed over to various committees established, to return them to rightful owners.

    The DDI said within the period, the camp of a Benue “notorious criminal and cult leader, Gana” had been located, while 15 of his members, including his wife were neutralised.

    “Gana managed to escape, but our troops are on his trail. Sequel to this, many of the IDPs have started returning home.

    “The Chairman of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State confirmed that 27,000 out of the 34,000 IDPs in Anyiin IDP camp have returned home,” Agim said.

    He said in the period under review when operation 777 began, 398 metric tonnes of stolen crude oil, 67,000 litres of refined AGO were recovered in the Niger Delta region.

    Agim also said 126 reservoirs, 34 illegal refineries, 27 wooden boats and “quantity 101 of 100 litres of drums of PMS” were recovered during the period.

    “Regrettably, during these operations, the military suffered some casualties. Two soldiers were killed in action and two wounded in action.

    “Equally, two soldiers were missing in action, while one AK47 rifle is missing in action,” he said.

    Agim used the opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to cooperate with the military and other security agencies in the efforts to address current challenges in the country.