Gift Wada
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said its troops, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) in the Niger Delta, recovered 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude worth over N20 billion in the first quarters of 2024.
The Defence spokesperson, Maj -Gen. Edward Buba, stated this during a briefing at the DHQ headquarters Abuja.
“Troops also seized 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined diesel, 53,300 litres of kerosene and 52,730 litres of petrol”, he said.
He said between January to March, troops arrested 2,351 terrorists, including their leaders 25 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists, 2,308 suspected terrorists, and rescued 1,241 kidnap victims.
According to Buba, some of the terrorist leaders killed are ; Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on February 21, 2024.
Others are Kachallah Damina ( Neutralised on March 24, by troops. He was neutralized alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, and Alhaji Baldu.”
Buba said aside from the elimination of notorious terrorist leaders, troops also recovered 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammunition.
While commending the successful operations of the military across the country in the first quarter, Buba urged the corporation of citizens in the fight against terrorism.
The spokesperson noted that the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war. Consequently, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces,” he said.
“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them,” he concluded.