Troops Kill 191 Terrorists, Arrest 184 In 2 Weeks

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday, said troops on internal security operations across the country neutralised 191 terrorists, arrested 184 and rescued 91 kidnap victims in two weeks.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who disclosed this at a biweekly update on military operations, said 22 suspected oil thieves were also arrested while 104 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered to troops.

He said the troops seized stolen crude products worth about N388,469,650.00 and recovered 209 assorted weapons and 2,894 assorted ammunition.

In the breakdown, he said the troops recovered 46 AK47 rifles, eight G3 rifle, one SMG, one PKT gun, 11 locally made rifles, eight dane guns, two locally made revolvers, nine locally fabricated AK47 rifles, one locally made SMG, two high grade military rifles, three locally made IED launchers, three locally made pistols, one 36 hand grenade, IEDs, five Ak47 rifles loaded with 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 837 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 289 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 275 rounds of 9mm ammo and 43 live cartridges.

Others included one unserviceable FN rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, four rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 32 magazines, three G3 magazines, 45 empty cases of 7.62mm NATO ammo, daggers, 15 cutlasses, 14 vehicles, nine motorcycles, seven bicycles, four fragmental jackets, one tripod, two boafeng radios, 24 mobile phones and the sum of N55,798,105.00 cash.

In the in the Niger Delta region, he said the troops discovered and destroyed 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, three tapping hoses, four drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, six pumping machines, three outboard engines and 34 illegal refining sites.

He added that the troops also recovered 696,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 54,400 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 1,200 litres of PMS or petrol.

He reiterated that the Armed Forces’ mission against terrorists, insurgents and other perpetrators of insecurity in the country should not be seen as the exclusive preserve of just the military alone but of all citizens.

He said: “experience reveals that military means alone can not neutralise terrorism and insurgency.

“This underscores the need for our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war to remain a reflection of a whole of society’s commitment. The perpetrators of the insecurity are not ghost, they have families, relations and are from villages and communities in the country. Through a whole of society approach, we will suffocate any hope that these groups have of victory through senseless killings and dastardly acts.”

He added that the citizens must take ownership of the right against insecurity in order to restore peace for progress.

“While we all are from one locality or another, not everyone can be in the military. Recognising this, there are several ways society can show their commitment in support of the overall objective to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country. Importantly, The such commitment should reflect and align with the will of the people.

“Their nefarious tactics have been exposed for what it truly is, which is a mere ploy to self-enrichment through killings.

“Accordingly, our message to these individuals and groups, is that we have clocked your game and are laser-focused on pursuing peace, by the pursuit of those that threaten the peace in the country,” the DHQ stated.