Tag: troops

…seize 652,000 litres of stolen crude in Niger Delta

…two impersonators of the COAS arrested in Edo

Troops engaged in internal security operations across the country have killed several terrorists and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition in the ongoing onslaught against non-state actors.

In the past week, the troops also arrested criminals and terrorist collaborators and rescued kidnap victims during operations spanning five geopolitical zones nationwide.

They also seized 652,000 litres of stolen crude, destroyed three illegal refining sites, and arrested five oil thieves.

In the North East, where troops are battling Boko Haram and its splinter groups, several Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/JAS) fighters were killed, weapons were recovered, and three kidnap victims were rescued.

A statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, on Monday, revealed that 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, preventing their penetration into the troops’ location.

“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.

Read Also: Police rescue 377 kidnap victims in Edo

“Also, seven of their collaborators, informants, sympathizers, and spies were arrested, while three kidnapped victims were rescued,” it said.

In the North West theater of operation, from December 12 to 17, 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 these operations, troops killed several terrorists, arrested eight others, rescued four kidnap victims, and recovered weapons, vehicles, livestock, and other household items.

Earlier, on December 3, during a routine check at Kadage in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, troops intercepted two passengers carrying ₦9,000,000.00 intended for the payment of ransom to secure the release of six of their adopted children.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.”

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 LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Kaura, Sanga, Jema’a, and Kafanchan LGAs of Kaduna State, during which several terrorists were neutralised, 16 suspects were arrested, and 19 kidnap victims were 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 ₦15,697,975.00 during the week.

The breakdown, according to the statement, showed that troops recovered 652,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,510 litres of diesel, and 2,015 litres of petrol. In addition, three illegal refining sites were destroyed, while five oil thieves were arrested.

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. The suspects are now in custody for interrogation.

The statement further said that on December 11, following intelligence reports, troops apprehended two individuals impersonating the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, in Utesi, Ovia South West LGA of Edo State. The suspects are currently in troop custody, undergoing investigation before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

On operations in the SouthEast region, the statement said troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations within the South East 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. 

 Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued 11 kidnapped victims and recovered arms and other items in coordinated operations across the North-West and North-Central.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the successes were recorded under Operations Fansan Yamma, MESA, Enduring Peace (OPEP) and Whirl Stroke (OPWS).

The source said the troops operating under Operation Fansan Yamma, rescued two truck drivers abducted along the Magami–Gusau road in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It said that the terrorists were forced to abandon the victims during a hot pursuit by troops through their withdrawal routes.

“In Sokoto State, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle abandoned on a farmland at Garin Hilo village, Sabon Birni LGA, following actionable intelligence from locals.

“Similarly, under Operation MESA, troops, working with vigilantes, rescued nine kidnapped victims in Kogi and Kwara States.

“Three farmers abducted at Ojiwo Egume community in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi, were rescued alongside a motorcycle.

”(Also), six villagers kidnapped at Ikosin village, Ifelodun LGA, Kwara, were freed after a hot pursuit that forced the kidnappers to flee and abandon two motorcycles.

“Efforts are ongoing to rescue four other victims abducted at Owa Onire in Ifelodun LGA during a road project,” it said.

The source said the troops had suspended operations in Taraba to restore peace and order in troubled areas as well as other parts of the country.

(NAN) 

The Nigerian Army troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have repelled a terrorist drone attack on their position at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Molai in Delwa village, Konduga Local Government Area of Borno.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the incident occurred on Dec. 16.

According to the source, the terrorists deployed four armed drones with explosives but were successfully neutralised by the troops.

The sources said that exploitation was ongoing to trace the launch point of the drones and neutralise the perpetrators.

According to the source, troops across Sectors 2, 3 and 4 of OPHK are sustaining offensive operations under Desert Sanity IV.

“In a related development under other ongoing operations, troops conducting Operation Safe Haven (OPEP) raided criminal hideouts and an illegal mining site at Rafin Bauna and Gero mountains in Plateau on Dec. 16, arresting three suspects.

“Items recovered include a fabricated rifle, one round of 7.62mm special ammunition, a generator, three shovels and water pipes.

“The suspects and recovered items are in custody for further action,” the source said.

The source explained that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) rescued a kidnapped victim at Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue.

The victim, who was abducted from his shop in Gidan Waya in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Dec. 14, the source said was abandoned by the kidnappers upon sighting troops.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian army to sustain offensives against terrorists, bandits and all criminal elements across theatres of operation.

(NAN) 

The Nigerian Army has recorded multiple operational successes in the last 24 hours, rescuing 21 kidnapped victims, foiling terror attacks and uncovering illegal crude oil activities across the country.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that troops had sustained offensives across theatres.

The source said the troops operating under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Zamfara and Kebbi repelled attacks, rescued civilians and responded to violent incidents.

“In Maradun, troops of 1 Brigade engaged terrorists who attacked Baigasuwa community, rescuing residents, though four civilians sustained gunshot injuries.

“In Kebbi, terrorists attacked a Nigeria Immigration Service checkpoint in Bagudo, killing three personnel and burning vehicles before fleeing.

“Troops also rescued five persons and a baby along the Unashi–Doka road in Danko Wasagu LGA of Kebbi, after terrorists abandoned their captives on sighting soldiers,” he said.

The source said the troops of Operation MESA in Kogi and Kogi–Kwara axis rescued four kidnapped victims during a firefight with insurgents at Konan Leda in Lokoja, while 11 additional victims later escaped following the assault.

He added that two motorcycles and a radio set were recovered, while another victim was rescued in the Kwali area of the FCT.

“Meanwhile, troops of Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, intensified operations against crude oil theft.

“In Eleme, Rivers soldiers and security agencies discovered 350 bags of stolen crude, estimated at 10,500 litres.

“Another patrol in Bonny recovered equipment used by oil thieves, including hoses, a Yamaha engine and jerricans, after the suspects fled.

“Other Theatres, including sectors under Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East and ongoing phases of Desert Sanity IV, reported no major incidents as troops continued clearance and security operations,” he added.

The military sources reiterated the resolve of the troops to remain on heightened alert across all regions to deny terrorists and criminals freedom of action.

(NAN)

Troops of the Nigerian Army  neutralised dozens of terrorists, apprehended 57 suspects, and rescued 45 kidnapped victims across the country in one week.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known in Friday in Abuja, while giving an update on nationwide military operations within the week.

Onoja said the troops also recovered large caches of arms, vehicles, and ammunition while dismantling criminal and terrorist networks in multiple theatres of operation.

In the North East, he said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI killed several terrorists, apprehended 11 collaborators, rescued eight kidnapped commuters, and destroyed multiple terrorist camps.

He added that air interdiction missions in Sambisa neutralised additional terrorists and destroyed their storage facilities.

Under Operation FASAN YAMMA, Onoja said the troops killed several terrorists and bandits, apprehended 15 suspects, and the rescue of 13 kidnapped victims across Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger States.

He added that troops also recovered weapons, vehicles, livestock, and intercepted a suspected terrorist arms dealer with N4 million in cash and military-grade weapons.

In the North Central, Onoja said the troops of Operations ENDURING PEACE and WHIRL STROKE, killed scores of extremists, apprehended 11 suspects including notorious terrorist Umar Idi (aka Lere).

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He added that 19 kidnapped victims were rescued, alongside the recovery of weapons, vehicles, and illicit funds.

The defence spokesman said the troops of DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over N173 million, destroyed 11 illegal refining sites, and arrested 13 criminals.

In the South East, he said the troops of Operation UDO KA rescued five kidnapped victims, arrested seven criminals, and eliminated terrorists’ safe havens in Enugu State through coordinated air strikes.

He commended the troops for their courage and professionalism, urging continued public support and intelligence sharing.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the military to protecting lives, properties, and national sovereignty until peace is fully restored nationwide.

(NAN)