By Augustine Ehikioya
Highlighting its successes in two weeks, the Directorate of Defence Media Operations on Thursday made public details of the onslaught of the various operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the country.
The briefing by the Defence Headquarters covered the period of 19 May to 2 June, 2022.
According to the briefing by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, and monitored by Securty Watch Africa (SWA), the various operations’ troops neutralized 14 Terrorists, 18 bandits and 3 kidnappers.
According to him, troops also arrested 15 terrorists, 26 bandits, one notorious foreigner Jabe Buba, who is a terrorist informant, one notorious gun runner, Mr Morris Ayitu, his wife and an accomplice, Mr Julius Aseni, and 21 other criminal elements.
While 253 civilians were rescued, he said various weapons and items were also recovered within the period.
He said “Press briefing on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Police and other security agencies. The security situation across the six geo-political zones of the country remains dynamic.
“There has been sustained efforts to build on the success so far achieved in the various theatres. The operational brief today will cover from 19 May – 2 June 2022.”
He went on to break down the achievements operation by operation.
On Operation HADIN KAI, he said “On 22 May, 2022 troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force at Amdaga, Balazola, Ndakaine, Jango, Sabah and Gobara in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State cleared terrorists hideout during the encounter, the terrorists fled in disarray due to the superior fire power of own troops abandoning their properties and family members.
“Also, on 23 May, 2022, troop conducted patrol along Old Marter Road in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State recovered a dump truck vehicle belonging to Borno State Road Maintenance Agency that was stolen in February 2021 by the terrorists.
“Similarly, troops on fighting patrol along Ashigashiya, Kodele, and Apagaluwa in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State encountered terrorists herders who engaged troops in a fierce gun battle, the terrorists fled due to troops superior fire power while troops recovered 40 sheeps during exploitation.
“Within the weeks under review troops also conducted robust, aggressive patrol, ambushes and clearance operation in Zuyel-Wuno area along Shelmi Mountain, Dugushewu village, Gwoza, Limankare Old Marte, Sabah, Kancorner, Gamboru Wulgo road, Charaman, Pulka-Kwadale road, Mairamri Tumbun Rago, Tumbum Dilla and Jamina, Kawuri Sibiri, Kuwaiti, Miya village all in Borno State.”
He added “Furthermore, on the 31 May, 2022, troops repelled attacked by terrorists at Firm Base Arege in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State. During the attacked troops responded with superior fire power and inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists while others fled in disarray.
“Cumulatively, troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 5 AK56 rifles, 2 FN rifles, 227 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 7 AK47 magazines, 1 PKM gun. 1 AA gun, 164 rounds of AA ammunition, 111 Shilka ammunition, 1 gun truck, 1 Shilka barrel, 2 dane guns, 2 Improvised Explosive Device, 1 car engine, 4 trollies and one water pump machine.
“Troops also rescued 100 terrorists family members which included 33 women. Troops also neutralized 14 terrorists and arrested 15. Accordingly, all arrested, rescued terrorist families and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he stated.
On Operation SAFE HAVEN, he said “As part of its non-kinetic measures towards ensuring security of lives and property in the troubled parts of Kaduna State, the Theatre Commander on 21 May, 2022 graduated 122 local vigilantes trained to assist the security agencies to ensure security of hinterland communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“He charged the trained vigilantes to be good ambassadors of their communities and discharge their duties effectively devoid of sentiment; he stressed the need to imbibe the tenets of equality, fairness and neutrality in discharging their duties. Present at the occasion were the representatives of the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, the Chairman, Sanga Local Government Area, Traditional rulers amongst others.
“Furthermore, the Commander held peace meetings at the Headquarters of Operation SAFE HAVEN with Bemood Fulani Stakeholders in order to sustain peace in the area.
“The meeting was centered on the killing and rustling of cattles at Kuru area in Jos Souh Local Government Area of Plateau State, he urged the herders to be patient as efforts are ongoing to recover the rustled cows. In attendance were the Chairman, Riyom Local Government Area, Member representing Riyom in the State House of Assembly, Miyetti Allah members and other community leaders from Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Speaking on the successes of Operation HADARIN DAJI, he said “Troops in Operation HADARIN DAJI theater of operations sustained aggressive and clearance operations to deny terrorist and other criminal elements further freedom of action.
“On 22 May, 2022, following credible information about terrorists heading towards Dampo village in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops mobilized and laid in wait at bandit crossing point, gun battle ensued between the bandits and own troops, bandits fled in disarray due to superior fire power following the attack troops recovered 292 cattle and 1 camel.
“Also, on 21 May, 2022, following credible intelligence report, troops arrested a notorious Foreigner, Jabe Buba, a terrorist informant at Garuwa village in Tambuwa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, pictures and video of him posting rifles in the forest were found in phone and cash of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N130,000.00) was recovered from him.
He added “Troops also conducted operational activities in Maidabino, Mahuta, Yantamaki, Mahuta Makal village in Dan Musa Local Government Area, Batsari Jibia road-Jibia road in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. Other locations include Kaura Namoda-Shinkafi road, Anka Market in Magaza town in Zamfara State and Kaikaza village in Sokoto State respectively.
“Consequently, within the weeks under review, troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 100 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, 458 rustled cattle 20 motorcycles, troops also rescued 152 civilians, neutralized 18 bandits and apprehended 25 bandits. Accordingly, all arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
On Operation WHIRL STROKE, he said “The troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted several operations within the period under review. On 24 May, responded to a distress call on kidnapping incident along Zakibia-Ugba Road, own troops made contact with the criminals.
“After a gun battle, the leader of the group, one Mr Odada and 2 Others, the kidnappers who were all dressed in military uniform were neutralized. The victim, one Mr Chimaobi Omemma a businessman was rescued, items recovered include 1 AK47 rifle, 3 fully loaded magazines (90 rounds of 7.62mm special), 1 Toyota Corolla vehicle and an ATM card bearing Felix Terzenqwe. All recovered items are still in custody.
“Similarly, on 29 May, 2022 a distress call was received of bandit terrorizing locals at Bowa in Doma Local Government Area of Nassarawa State. After a hot pursuit, one Mr Adamu Akure was captured at Ijiwo junction in Rukubu.
“Items recovered include 1 locally made pistol, several cartridge amongst others. The arrested criminal is presently under interrogations. Also, a notorious gun runner Mr Morris Ayitu was arrested after a raid at his residence in Abirisi in Guma Local Government Area also arrested are his wife and an Accomplice, Mr Julius Aseni.”
On Operation OCTOPUS GRIP, he said “Troops in Operations OCTOPUS GRIP theatre of operation has sustained pressure on economic saboteurs and other criminal elements which has significantly reduce the oil thieves freedom of action.
“Operation OCTOPUS GRIP in conjunction with Operation DELTA SAFE conducted operational activities in creeks, towns and communities in locations such as Mosogar, Jesse, Warri Road in Eihiope West Local Government Area, Banga, Modangho creek in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Other locations, he said, included Okubotowa creek in Akassa Brass Local Government Area, Ikebiri, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Gawthrone channel in Bonny Local Government Area of River State, Akpabiyo Local Government Area in Cross River State and Effiat water ways Ibaka in Akwa Ibom State.
He went on “Cumulatively, within the period under review, troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refineries, 165 metal storage tanks, 72 ovens, 23 dug out pits, 5 wooden boats. Also, recovered are One Hundred and Seven Thousand, Four Hundred (107,400) litres of crude oil, Four Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty (456,450) litres of AGO, Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty (6,250) litres of PMS, 6 trucks, 3 outbound engines, 1 AK47 rifles, troops also apprehended 21 criminal elements.
“All recovered items and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action,” he said.