Days after soldiers killing, troops decimate 109 terrorists, arrest 81

Nigerian troops on the frontline battling insurgents have eliminated no fewer than 109 terrorists a few days after six soldiers were killed on the battlefield.

Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, said this in a statement on Friday.

According to Buba, the armed forces remain focused and are continuing their counter-insurgency campaign against terrorist and their cohorts operating across the country.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 109 and arrested 81 persons. Additionally, troops arrested six perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 43 kidnapped hostages,” Buba said.

“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Six Hundred and Eighteen Million Seven Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Naira (N618,756,470.00) only.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 21 assorted weapons and 124 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: nine AK47 rifles, five fabricated rifles, four dane guns, three locally made pistols, seven magazines, 97 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, five live cartridges, three baofeng radios, four vehicles, six motorcycles and four mobile phones amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 10 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, 12 boats, four storage tanks and 10 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include three pumping machines, 12 speedboats, 20 drums, two motorcycles, one mobile phone, and 4 vehicles among others.

“Troops recovered 631,709 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,140 litres of illegally refined AGO and 2,250 litres of PMS.

Troops are sustaining the winning ways of ongoing operational engagements. Accordingly, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.”