Troops Kill 151 Terrorists, Arrest 456, Rescue 76 Kidnap Victims

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said troops deployed for internal operations across the country killed 151 terrorists, rescued 76 Kidnap victims, and arrested 456 terrorists in one week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, while briefing journalists on troops operations, said 45 suspected oil thieves were arrested while stolen products worth N1,011,851,250 was confiscated.

He said the troops recovered 216 assorted weapons and 443 assorted ammunition.

In a breakdown, he said the troops recovered 62 AK47 rifles, seven pump action guns, 19 dane guns, three berreta pistol, 10 locally fabricated rifles, five locally made pistols, 399 IED detonator primers, 225 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 10 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 13 round of 9mm ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm, 57 cartridges, 49 magazines, 21 vehicles, four motorcycles, one tricycle, three mobile phones, and the sum of N3,194,450.00.

Furthermore, troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 21 dugout pits, 56 boats, 138 storage tanks, 235 cooking ovens, six pumping machine, one outboard engine, two speedboats, 89 illegal refining sites and the sum of N13,950.

Troops also recovered about 1,205,950 litres of stolen crude oil, 452,910 litres of illegally refined AGO, 22,650 litres of PMS and 3,000 litres of DPK.

He disclosed that the perpetrators of terrorism and insurgency activities were using it as a guise for their personal gain through illegal mining and other unlawful activities.

He highlighted that the foot soldiers carry out the illegal mining from mining pits, while their sponsors are in the cities and town, moving around as normal citizens to dispose the proceeds.

“The situation underscores the importance of ongoing military operations which is critical to the nations effort to achieving peace and security. The military is up to the challenge and more than ever before, the outcome is not in doubt,” he stated.