Nigerian Troops Confirm killing 36 Terrorists, Arrest Of 143 Criminals In Two Weeks

By Akeem Oduyoye

The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that it troops killed 36 terrorists and arrested 143 criminals across the various theatres of operations in the last two weeks.

The military high command also disclosed that troops rescued 140 kidnapped citizens across the country.

The  Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, made this disclosure on Thursday, 3 August, 2923  during the bi-weekly briefing of the military in Abuja.

 “In the course of operations, troops of Operation Safe Haven recovered three AK47 rifles, three Dane guns, one locally fabricated pistol, one locally made gun, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one cartridge, three mobile phones, a pair of camouflage, a jackknife. Also, troops arrested 10 suspects.

“Also, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke recovered one pistol, 40 rounds of 7.62mm special, four rounds of 7.62mm NATO, two G3 magazines, one vehicle, one motorcycle, one mobile phone, and a pair of black boots. Additionally, troops neutralised one terrorist, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued nine kidnapped hostages,” Buba said,

“Similarly, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji recovered one AK47 rifle, 4 AK47 rifle magazines, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one motorcycle, and 80 livestock. Troops also rescued 20 kidnapped hostages.

“In the course of the operation, troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 11 terrorists and recovered two fabricated rifles, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special, three motorcycles, and 80 livestock. Troops also arrested 16 terrorists, logistic suppliers, or collaborators and rescued two kidnapped hostages.

“In addition, in the conduct of operations, troops of Operation Udo Ka recovered apprehended three gunrunners, and rescued nine kidnapped hostages,” he added, explaining  that within the period under review, the military arrested 15 oil thieves and recovered the sum of N3.17m in the Niger Delta region.

 “In the course of operations, troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, three outboard engines, one generator, two pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites. Troops also recovered 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 liters of Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine, and five litres of Premium Motor Spirit and apprehended 15 perpetrators of oil theft,” he said.

Buba added that the recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.