Troops Kill 253 Terrorists, Arrest 172 In 1 Week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops on internal operations across the country killed 253 terrorists, arrested 172 others and rescued 206 hostages within one week.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said troops also arrested 15 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth N1,073,829,500.00 within the period.

Buba also said troops recovered 251 assorted weapons and 4,113 assorted ammunition in the period under review.

He gave the breakdown of recovered items to include one GPMG, 118 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated gun, 47 dane guns, six pump action guns, two locally fabricated pump action guns, five double barrel guns, four single barrel guns, four locally fabricated pistol, 4 IED, 60mm mortar tube, two AK butts, MRAP and one bandolier.

Others are: 2,047 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 942 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 9mm ammo, 342 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 334 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 252 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 110 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball, 299 live cartridges, 32 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 2 KYD radios, 8 vehicles, 41 motorcycles, 27 bicycles, 41 mobile phones and the sum of N74,702,320.00 only amongst other items.

Meanwhile in the Niger Delta, troops discovered and destroyed 75 illegal refining sites, 22 dugout pits, 37 boats, 70 drums, 4 receiver, 4 reservoirs and 29 storage tanks.

Troops also recovered 215 cooking ovens, 13 vehicles, four wheelbarrows, one tricycle, one motorcycle, five mobile phones, one speedboat, two KYD radios, 2 outboard engines.

General Buba said troops recovered 1,047,050 litres of stolen crude oil and 205,550 litres of illegally refined AGO.

The Director said these operations across the country are a testament of the tireless effort of the military to prevent anarchy, unrest and national security destabilisation.

“For these reasons, the armed forces is deserving of the pride of place as the nations symbol of national unity and resilience.

“Based on the foregoing, it is instructive for citizens extend utmost respect for their armed forces, rather than denegrade the institution. It would be counterproductive and amounts to self sabotage to do otherwise,” the statement said.