The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, sustained intensified operations across the country last week, neutralising terrorists, rescuing 146 kidnapped victims, and disrupting illegal oil operations.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, noting that the coordinated efforts were aimed at creating safe corridors for farming and improving food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.
“Between May 8 and 15, troops launched renewed offensives to dismantle terrorist enclaves and criminal hideouts across multiple theatres of operation.
“These actions are in line with the military’s mandate to restore peace and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity,” Kangye stated.
According to the DHQ, scores of terrorists were killed during clearance and fighting patrols in Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, and Damboa Local Government Areas of Borno State under Operation Hadin Kai.
Troops also rescued 17 hostages and recovered arms, assorted ammunition, grenades, and magazines.
In the North-West, troops under Operation Hadarin Daji and Operation Whirl Punch killed dozens of terrorists and freed 129 kidnapped persons across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
Arrests of key informants and logistics suppliers, identified as Zakari Abubakar and Aliyu Musa, were made in Suleja and Borgu LGAs of Niger State, while a suspected ammunition courier, Rufai Abdullahi, was nabbed in Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.
“In these operations, the troops recovered arms, locally fabricated guns, motorcycles, cash, tricycles, vehicles, pumping and drilling machines, and mobile phones,” Kangye added.
Meanwhile, in the Niger Delta region, troops of Operation Delta Safe uncovered and dismantled illegal refining sites and equipment used for crude oil theft.
The DHQ said products worth over N103 million, including 68,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 31,166 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 2,250 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK), were recovered.
Sixteen crude oil cooking ovens, 34 storage tanks, 79 drums, 19 boats, and 18 refining sites were destroyed in the operations, aimed at curbing economic sabotage in the oil-rich region.
Maj. Gen. Kangye commended the troops’ bravery and lauded local communities for their role in intelligence gathering.
He reiterated that under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the military remained unyielding in its mission to ensure national security.
“There will be no negotiations with enemies of the state. The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to the safety of every Nigerian and the stability of our nation,” he said.
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