Over 196 Bandits, Insurgents Killed as Military Steps Up Operations Nationwide

Over 196 criminals, including armed bandits and Boko Haram fighters have been killed and their dwelling facilities destroyed, while troops rescued several captives and rustled cows, recovered cache of arms and ammunition across the country.

This according to the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations became possible because the troops through its various theatre operations have continued to dominate and suppress the activities of Boko haram terrorists in North East, banditry in the North West, economic saboteurs in the South and armed militia in the North Central part of the country.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja General Enenche said, the resilience, professionalism and dexterity of the troops in its operations have recorded unprecedented strides in its various operations across the country from 2 to 9 July, 2020.

Enenche said, in the Northeast troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) had 17 encounters with Boko Haram and killed about 92 terrorists, rescued 35 captives from BH dungeon, recovery of arms and ammunition, including vehicles while about 4 repentant terrorists surrendered to the troops. Also the troops recorded the capture of some criminal elements and spies.

According to him, more successes were recorded by Operation Long Reach Il, a subsidiary of OPLD which was launched within the period and had also conducted series of a comprehensive precise airstrikes in the enclave of Sambisa forest.

“The massive air strikes resulted in the obliteration of BHT structures used as meeting venue at Mainyakare Village on the fringes of Sambisa Forest”.

In the Northwest, the Coordinator said, a total of 104 bandits were killed, about 551 rustled cattle/sheep recovered, many weapons recovered by the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji within the period under review. Also, 3 bandits surrendered to the troops together with arms and ammunition.

General Enenche added that the launch of Operation Sahel Sanity by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai within the period has recorded more gains in the region.

“Already, Operation Sahel Sanity has recorded significant successes with the neutralization of 46 armed bandits in Yargamji village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State on 7 July 2020”.

All these operations in both the Northeast and Northwest were conducted by the Land and Air Components of the Nigerian military.

In the North Central, Enenche said, peace has gradually returned in the area as farmers do go to their Farming activities without any security hitches because of the raids, clearance patrols and ambush operations conducted by the troops of Operation Safe Haven.

He noted that the activities of the troops led to the recovery of 2 locally fabricated revolver rifles with 3 rounds  of 7.62mm special ammunition and 5 cartridges from a repentant member of Irigwe militia group in Bassa LGA of Plateau state on 4 July 2020.

This land mark record, he said was premised on the new zeal, vigour and resilience employed by the troops in fishing out the criminal elements in the zone.

“Troops equally arrested 3 notorious armed robbers during a raid at Jenta Maskeri, Jenta Adamu, and Jenta Mangoro areas in Jos North LGA of Plateau State.

The robbers, Amos Bulu, Benjamin Timothy, and Geoffrey Samson were arrested with one fabricated pistol, one cartridge shell, one knife, 2 mobile phones, and one dummy pistol”. He stated.

The DMO Coordinator further maintained that, the troops of Operation Safe Haven have also conducted a non-kinetic operation in in the zone within the period to cement a cordial relationship between the military the the host community.

This, he added was a part of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC).

Some of the projects executed amongst others were, drilling of boreholes in Nkindero and Fulani settlements in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.

According to him, this general security situation will be replicated to all the states within the North Central Zone of the country.

General Enenche also maintained that, the Maritime Component of Operation Delta Safe specifically, Nigerian Navy Ship Delta and Pathfinder has impounded 565,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO in Opumami community and Opuedebubor Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State as well Mejikiri, Buguma in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State, amongst several other giant strides recorded by the troops in the South-South part of the country.

“Troops of Sector 1 Operation Delta Safe in conjunction with Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS have deactivated all Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) identified within Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) pipeline general area. During the operations, a total of 17 IRS were deactivated at Agor-Illa Warri southwest LGA while 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of stolen crude oil were impounded.

“Also on 2 Jul 20, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS took custody of TUG GULF EAGLE with 10 crew from Nigerian Navy Ship BOMADI. The vessel was arrested by Nigerian Navy Ship BOMADI off Ramos River Entrance for operating without her Automatic Identification System.

At the time of arrest, the vessel had 125,000 litres of AGO.

The vessel was subsequently moved to NNS Delta for further investigation”. He added.

He therefore assured that the military will intensify its offensives against economic sabotage, banditry, terrorism and other criminality in the northern and southern parts of the country respectively. As the public has been enjoined to continue to provide credible information to the security agents for necessary actions.

The Military High Command has however commended all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for the commitment and professionalism.