Gift Wada
The Nigerian Armed Forces said it intercepted N4 billion worth of petroleum products from oil thieves in the South-South region between June-August 2023.
The armed forces also announced the neutralisation of 817 terrorists, the apprehension of 1,326 criminals, and the successful rescue of 721 hostages across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, shared this outstanding news during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.
“In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe made notable achievements by neutralising 69 combatants, arresting 191 oil theft collaborators, and rescuing 12 kidnapped hostages. The operation also intercepted 6.6 million litres of stolen crude oil, among other illegal items,” he said.
He said in total, 249 boats, 28 pumping machines, and three vessels were discovered and destroyed during anti-piracy efforts. A significant quantity of stolen crude oil and other illegal products was also seized.
Edward Buba said the military apprehended 42 kidnappers, 231 terrorists’ collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militia members, 27 rail vandals, 73 gunrunners, and 191 suspected oil thieves.
According to him, a total of 4,560 terrorists and their families voluntarily surrendered to Nigerian troops in the North East, a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and terrorism.
The military operations also led to the recovery of 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted types of ammunition, and 674 other equipment within the review period.
In the South East, Operation UDO KA achieved considerable success by neutralising 80 combatants, arresting 162 IPOB/ESN criminals, and rescuing 109 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 63 assorted weapons, 320 assorted ammunitions and 166 other incriminating items during their operations in the region.
In the North East, where Operation Hadin Kai is actively engaged, 240 terrorists were neutralised, 276 terrorists and collaborators were arrested, and 147 kidnapped hostages were rescued. Furthermore, 169 assorted weapons, 1,195 different rounds of ammunition, and 199 other equipment items were recovered.
In the North Central, under Operation Safe Haven, 94 terrorists were neutralised, 477 suspects were arrested, and 76 kidnapped hostages were rescued. The military also successfully recovered 82 assorted weapons and 760 assorted rounds of ammunition
Operation Whirl Stroke, operating in the same region, neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 104 suspects, and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages. The recovered items included 37 weapons, 68 assorted rounds of ammunition, and 127 other items.
In the North West, Operation Hadarin Daji made significant strides by neutralising 248 terrorists, arresting 116 suspected terrorists, and rescuing 359 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, a total of 67 assorted weapons, 926 assorted ammunition, and 160 other incriminating items were recovered.
Major-General Edward Buba, warned terrorists and their collaborators to desist from illegal mining, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and extortion of farming and fishing communities. He stated that these groups would face overwhelming military force if they did not come to the table for peace talks.
“The military is determined to dismantle these criminal organisations and maintain peace and security in the region,” he noted