The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has noted that there was no significant arrest made yet in the gruesome killing of 18 soldiers in Delta State on 14 March 2024.
The military high command also called on the Delta State Government and host communities to help in its investigation, saying some culprits have released video confessions admitting to the barbaric act.
Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba who disclosed this on Friday said troops have recovered decomposing parts of some of the soldiers during a search on some communities.
Maj.-Gen. Buba explained that troops have carried out cordon and search operations in Akugbene, Ukuama and Okoloba Communities in Ugheli and Ugheli South Ukuama Amusamo, Akwagbe, Arhavwarien, Pirigbene and Igbomatoro Communities all in Delta State, as a measure to recover the weapons of the deceased soldiers.
He said “the decomposing hearts of some of the killed soldiers were recovered during search, while the manhunt continue with no significant arrest yet made.”
He continued “Significantly, there is a viral video of person admitting to have perpetrated the killings of the soldier in Delta State. The video among other things helps to narrow investigations to persons of interest and their cohorts.
“Accordingly, the state governments and host communities of these personalities are required to assist in fishing them out. There can be no hiding place for perpetrators of such dastardly act against our nation. This is a clarion call to duty by members of those communities and the state government,” Buba said.
He however revealed that the Nigerian troops operating across the country neutralised 106 terrorist, arrested 103 suspects and rescued 96 kidnap victims.
The military spokesman said the troops also arrested 22 suspected oil thieves and recovered 772,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 80,530 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,500 litres of DPK worth N754, 149,600.00.
General Buba said the troops recovered 171 assorted weapons and 2,452 assorted ammunition in the period under review.
He gave a breakdown of recovered items to include 47 AK-47 rifles, one PKT gun, 18 pump action rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 14 dane guns, 12 locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver, one hand grenade, 81mm mortar bomb, one mortar tube and 4 bandoliers.
Others items recovered include 995 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 468 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 317 live cartridges, 125 rounds of 9mm ammo, 313 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 13 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 19 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 167 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo, 45 empty shells of 7.62mm NATO, 72 empty cases of cartridges, 14 magazines, 10 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 19 mobile phones, one bicycles, 4 baofeng radios, and the sum of N112,920.00 amongst other items.
Meanwhile, in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 21 cooking ovens, three pumping machines, 51 dugout pits, 17 boats, 15 storage tanks and 4 vehicles.
