Troops kill 148 terrorists, arrest 258 during Christmas week

Nigerian troops on the frontline during Christmas week neutralised no fewer than 148 terrorists and arrested 258 others.

This disclosure was made by the spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba on Saturday.

Troops also arrested 51 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued not less than 291 kidnapped hostages.

In the South-South, troops reportedly denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of over N798million.

According to General Buba, the armed forces are through their operations turning the tide against terrorists and violent extremists across the country.

He added that the support base of the group groups is being dislocated as a result of the ongoing operations.

“Significantly, during the week troops in the North Central theatre of operation intercepted and apprehended 2 ammunition couriers that collaborate with the terrorist. The arrested persons identified as Danweri and Abubakar Hamza were apprehended in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State and cooperating with troops.

“Meanwhile during the week under review, troops neutralised 148 and arrested 258 persons. Troops also arrested 51 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 291 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Ninty Eight Million One Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Naira (N798,146,470.00) only.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 146 assorted weapons and 2,599 assorted ammunition.The breakdown as follows: 2 PKT guns, 72 AK47 rifles, 33 fabricated rifles, 28 dane guns, 2 locally made SMG, 3 locally made pistols, 2 pump action guns, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 39 magazines.

“Others are: 1,596 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 636 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 111 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 114 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 98 live cartridges, three baofeng radios, three vehicles, 36 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones and the sum of N1,838,000.00 amongst other items.”

General Buba hinted that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 68 crude oil cooking ovens, 13 dugout pits, 41 boats, 45 storage tanks, and 66 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include four speedboats, one pumping machine, 150 drums, one generator, two motorcycles, two mobile phones, one drone and
Five vehicles among others.

According to him, “Troops recovered 657,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 127,870 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 5,000 litres of DPK.

“Overall, troops remain focussed on destroying both their military capability as well as their will to fight terrorists and violent extremists across the country. Troops are in a good position and winning the war.”