As the war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and other criminal elements perpetrating insecurity in the country wages on, troops of the armed forces of Nigeria are said to be sustaining the momentum to achieve victory.
Accordingly, troops during the week killed 152 terrorists, arrested 109, and rescued 91 hostages.
This was contained in a statement to newsmen, on Friday, by the Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba.
General Buba noted that, “The armed forces is steadily progressing towards the goal of total destruction of all these elements.”
Given recent events, he stated that, the “military learns every day and makes improvements on ways to better deal with threat situations posed by these terror groups.
“Troops are moving in against the terrorist and denying them freedom of action.”
However, during the week, the DMO Director revealed that troops carried out surgical operations against two prominent terrorist commanders and decimated their strongholds.
The commanders are Sadiku Enclave in Tsora Hill in Safana LGA of Katsina State and Alhaji Yusuf Enclave at Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.
Furthermore, General Buba disclosed that, “troops crippled crude oil theft activities at the following locations through air interdiction, Bugama, Idama, Cawtorne Channel and Krakrama, all in Rivers State.
“Troops also apprehended 2 female terrorists collaborators responsible for negotiations with relatives of victims for ransom.
“Overall, troops operations during the week resulted in 152 terrorists neutralised, 109 arrested and 91 hostages rescued.
“In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N795,683,395.00 only.
“Troops recovered 183 weapons, 4,443 ammunitions. The breakdown as follows: 95 AK47 rifles, 35 locally fabricated guns, 76 dane guns, One GPMG, 2 PKT guns, 4,131 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 115 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 28 cartridges, 53 assorted arms and 197 assorted ammunitions.
“Others are 725,920 litres of stolen crude oil and 475,250 litres of illegally refined AGO amongst other item.
“On the whole, the gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to take pride in putting themselves in harms way to ensure the safety and security of citizens. Citizens on the other hand, must constantly see the need to show support for troops to win the war.”
