By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday said that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), deployed to various theatres of operations across the federation, killed no fewer than 974 terrorists.
The Military High Command, further revealed that over 620 terrorists were also apprehended by the troops within the period under review.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made this disclosure at the biweekly briefing of the operational activities of the military and other security agencies, also noted that no fewer than 466 kidnapped victims were also rescued by troops, within the said period.
General Buba, also said that 246 illegal refining sites, were discovered and destroyed while, petroleum products worth billions of Naira were also recovered from oil thieves and economic saboteurs.
According to General Buba, “In February 2024, troops recorded the following: neutralized 974 terrorists, arrested 621 of them and rescued 466 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 1,573 assorted weapons, 23,345 assorted ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N8 bn (N8,006,996,894.00) only. Others are 8,993,245 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,062,635 litres of illegally refined AGO, 18,950 litres of DPK and 45,950 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops recovered 79 assorted weapons and destroyed 316 wooden boats, 3859 assorted ammunition and 246 illegal refining sites”.
He noted that the armed forces is determined to end terrorism and insecurity across the country and therefore taking concrete steps in that direction.
For us, Gen. Buba said, creating a safer environment for citizens translates to eliminating all threat hindering the safety and security of citizens.
He said that troops conducted synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves killing significant number of the terrorists.
The Director stressed that it is possible to say with significant certainty that these strikes have had significant impacted on the terrorist adversely.
The focus of the armed forces, he said is to conduct its operations in support of national security interest.
He further said that if these terrorist groups don’t come to the table in peace, the armed forces will continue to punish them with overwhelming military force.
He recalled that the military recently took delivery of additional air platform to further enhance its lethal capabilities.
