188 terrorists, 412 bandits killed by troops, 236 kidnapped victims rescued within 3 weeks – DHQ

Over 188 terrorists in the North East and 412 bandits including armed militia in North West and Central states have been killed while about 236 kidnapped victims have been rescued in various operations by troops within the last 22 days, the Armed Forces of Nigeria said.

Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, (DMO)  at the Defence Headquarters, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the updates of operational activities of Armed Forces of Nigeria from 6th to 28th May, 2020 in Abuja.

Enenche said that the milestone achievements were the product of joint operations by all components of the military including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.

According to him,their joint operations had considerably degraded and reduced the terrorist activities and other criminality in the country.

Gen. Enenche further gave the highlights of the operations under the various theatre operations as follows .

Under Operation Lafiya Dole, he said the troops had killed scores of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters and their senior commanders.

Enenche further disclosed that the troops also destroyed terrorist’s logistics facilities, gun trucks and other structures as they recovered some arms and ammunition during the period under review.

DMO Coordinator also said, a total of 188 BHT/ISWAP fighters were killed and several others suffered various degrees of gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival as some kidnapped victims were rescued.

“This is in addition to several others killed in air bombardments. The troops also rescued a total of 236 civilians – women and children, who were abducted by the terrorists.

“The victims have undergone medical checkups and treatments at our health facilities”. He stated.

Under Operation Hadarin Daji, Gen. Enenche hinted that , the troops had in various clearance operations neutralised 392 armed bandits in Katsina and Zamfara States within the period.

The troops,he further said had destroyed some dwellings and logistics warehouses of the bandits at Dunya, Abu Radde’s Camp and Ibrahim Mai Bai’s Camp in Jibia and Danmusa Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

He said that same destruction also took place at Maikomi and Kurmin Kurain Birnin Magaji and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

This, according to him, is in addition to several others killed by air bombardments that led to destruction of several logistics facilities and compounds, housing some key bandits’ leaders.

Operation Whirl Punch that operates in the North Central states of Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa, Enenche said had killed 20 armed bandits in Benue and Taraba States.

He explained that the troops also carried out a raid operation on a criminal hideout off Zaki Biam and Katsina-Ala highway where a notorious armed robber, Terugwa Igbagwa alias Orjondu, was killed.

According to him, troops also recovered large cache of arms and ammunition within the period under review, adding that a notorious Benue kingpin Terwase Agwaza Alias Gana had narrowly escaped with gunshot wounds during the raid out operation.

In maritime operations, the coordinator disclosed that a Nigerian Navy ship (Pathfinder) Patrol Team, on May 26, conducted Anti-Crude oil theft/anti-illegal bunkering operations around Briakiri off Onne and Abise community off Abonema Akukutoru Local Government Area of Rivers state.

He said that the team located two illegal refining sites with four storage tanks laden with estimated 400,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO during the operation.

Enenche explained that the products were impounded while two pumping machines were recovered to the base, adding that no arrest was made as the perpetrators fled on sighting the patrol team.

According to him, on May 25, the Navy Ship Delta intercepted a wooden boat and a speed boat around Ilaopashe, Bennett island and Lokpobri communities in Warri and Burutu South Local Government Areas of Delta State.

He added that, the team located four illegal refining sites with 14 dug-out pits, 32 surface metal storage tanks and 43 ovens laden with about 628.98 barrels of suspected stolen crude oil as well as 72,000.00 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO.

“Likewise the team located a 3-inch pipe and associated fittings close to NPDC pipeline around Bennett Island, suspected to have been laid by crude oil thieves.

“Subsequently, the team disconnected the pipes and fittings. The storage facilities were dismantled while the speed boat was recovered to the base.

“Similarly, the Forward Operating Base IBAKA on 26 May 2020 while on routine patrol around Ewang Creek intercepted and arrested a medium size wooden boat laden with drums of products suspected to be stolen PMS with two suspects.

“Suspects and items recovered from the arrest include 49,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen PMS.

“The suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will soon be handed over to the relevant prosecuting agency.

“Furthermore, within the period under review, the Nigerian Navy in furtherance of its quest to secure our Exclusive Economic Zone, and the Gulf of Guinea rescued a Chinese fishing trawler Hailufeng 11, rescued 18 crewed and arrested 10 sea pirates”.

Gen. Enenche however extended the commendations of the Military High Command to the public for providing credible information that facilitated the successes of various operations.

He enjoined the public to be proactive in the provision of timely information on suspicious movements and strangers within their locality to military operations headquarters in their areas.

He therefore, pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in launching the offensives against the terrorists, banditry other criminality in the country.