…as 1,158 terrorists surrender to troops in three weeks
By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Nigerian military has recorded more successes against the economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the Niger Delta region in the renewed onslaught by the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS) in the past three weeks.
The renewed offensives by the troops is coming sequel to the directives given by President Muhammadu Buhari that the Nigerian military and other security agencies should go after illegal refineries and the oil thieves in the Niger Delta region.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said “a total of One Million Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand (1,718,000) litres of AGO, Three Million Eight Hundred (3,800,000) litres of crude oil, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (350,000) litres of sludge, Twenty Thousand (20,000) litres of PMS and One Hundred Thousand (100,000) litres of DPK” were recovered within the period under review.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO) Major General Benard Onyeuko disclosed this whilst giving the update on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies between 7 – 28 April, 2022, stated that troops also arrested Abdurrazaq Hudu, a logistics supplier of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) at Mutum Biyu village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The Coordinator also said over 1,158 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) in the renewed offensive against criminal elements in the Northern part of the country, while 23 of the terrorists were killed and 19 arrested within the period under review.
Troops also destroyed the Central workshop that fabricates vehicle borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Maj Gen Onyeuko also disclosed that troops have repelled an attempted attack orchestrated by the ISWAP at the Petroleum Production Company Depot in Diffa near Nigeria and Niger Republic border and killed several of the terrorists.
In the North West, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI responded to a distress call of terrorists attack at Wanzamai in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, “mobilized to the village and engaged the terrorist where scores of the terrorists were killed. In The cause of the operation troops rescued 32 women and 18 children.
“Similarly, troops successfully foiled terrorist attack in Bakura village in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara. In the process unconfirmed numbers of terrorists were neutralized while 200 rustled cattle were recovered.”
Explaining further, the DMO Coordinator added that troops of troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have arrested one Leggi Jobrin, a notorious gunrunner/kidnapper who was (on the wanted list of OPWS) that was terrorizing Gidan Bawa village in Nasarawa State.
Troops also conducted several clearance operations in Nasarawa,Benue and Taraba State with many successes recorded within the period.
According to him, ”cumulatively, within the 3 weeks period under review, troops recovered 592 rustled cattle, 45 different assorted weapons, 80 rounds of different caliber ammunition, 50 motorcycles.”
“Troops also rescued 179 civilians, neutralized 62 terrorists items, rescued and apprehended terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
