From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Media Organization (DMO), yesterday,said Soldiers on various security operations across the country have killed 157 criminals terrorizing the country within two weeks.
According to DMO, the criminal elements comprised of :terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal groups disturbing the peace of the country .
Also, the DMO, said the soldiers arrested 95 suspected terrorists logistics suppliers; bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, and rescued 112 kidnapped victims from their abductors,while 267 repentant terrorists, and their families surrendered to troops.
Director DMO, Major General Musa Danmadami, said that the soldiers destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 48 cooking ovens, 103 storage tanks, 27 dugout pits, and 33 wooden boats.
He said that soldiers on illegal bunkering operations in the Niger Delta, also recovered one tug boat, one barge, three pumping machines, three speed boats,and 13 vehicles, 274,000 litres of crude oil, 71,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, and 15 Ak47 rifles.
Gen Danmadami, at a media briefing on update on Military operations conducted in the six geo-political zones of the Country, between January 12-26, said, the military has continued to record successes in all its operations with the bombardment of criminals strongholds in the country.
Giving a breakdown on the operations, Danmadami, said “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI ,have sustained ,and continue to dominate their general areas of operations. Operational activities were conducted in villages, forest, mountains, towns, and cities of Kukawa, Bama, Biu, Damboa, Maiduguri, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Kaga, Abadam as well as Monguno Local government areas of Borno State. Operations were also conducted at Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State; Gujiba, Geidam ,and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State in the North East region of the country geared towards denying Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province ,and other criminal element freedom of actions, and restored normalcy to the zone. Notably, on 12 January 2023, troops had a meeting engagement with Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists ,close to their locations in kwatan Turare, and Azir Bri villages in Kukawa and Damboa LGAs of Borno State. During the encounter, troops engaged the terrorists in a fire fight, and neutralized five terrorists, while others fled with gun shot injuries. Troops, recovered three AK47 rifles, 2 x 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of belted 7.62mm NATO, 7 x 60mm mortar chargers, empty cases of 60mm bomb chargers, empty cases of RPG chargers, two RPG 7 bomb, one Gun truck, two PKGM, two RPG bombs, one QJC gun, 116 rounds of 12.7mm AP ammunition, and 56 rounds of 7.62mm rimmed ammunition, while one phantom MRAP used by the terrorist was destroyed by their own fire.
“Also, troops on January 14,2023 ambushed Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists close to Zanwa village in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized seven terrorists, while others fled. Troops recovered three AK47, two locally fabricated guns, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special refilled ammo, one camel bag one G3 rifle, and 19 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. On the same date troops ambushed Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, along Rd Banki – Bula Yobe – Darel Jamel in Bama LGA ,and made contact. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized three terrorists and recovered, two AK 47 rifles, 15 rounds of 7.62 mm Special refilled ammo, and one camel bag among other sundry items. “Additionally, on 13 January 2023, two Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, surrendered to troops at Banki Junction , with two AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special, six rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammunition, one mobile phone and the sum of 15,000.00 only. Equally, troops raided a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist’s enclave in Bula Tamsu village ahead of Ngurusoye in Bama LGA, and made contact with the terrorists. Troops engaged and neutralized two terrorists while, two bicycles, were recovered and six kidnapped civilians rescued.