Troops in North Central Operational Theatre have neutralized a notorious terrorist commander and gun runner identified as ‘Abu Mosaje’ in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State.
Troops also neutralized no fewer than 79 terrorists in one swoop within one week and arrested 224 persons.
The frontline soldiers also arrested 28 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 67 kidnapped hostages.
Spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, hinted that the military intensified ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the nation.
According to him, the operations particularly targeted not just the terrorist but their network of collaborators, informants, and support base.
“Furthermore, troops arrested another notorious gunrunner and his son identified as Timothy Yusuf and Timothy Obadiah. Meanwhile, in the South East, troops arrested 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists including a notorious kidnapper and informants in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States,” he said.
“Nevertheless, during the week under review, troops neutralised 79 and arrested 224 persons. Troops also arrested 28 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 67 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Forty-Seven Million Secenty Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N747,070,710.00) only. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines, 2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, and 8 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 200 litres of DPK.
“Furthermore, across all the theatres of operations, troops recovered 104 assorted weapons and 1,953 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, one FN rifle, 11 dane guns, two pump action guns, one fabricated SMG, four IEDs, seven RPG bombs, 30 magazines, four IEDs, and three locally made butts.
“Others are: 1,186 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 417 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 live cartridges, 3 bandoliers, one baofeng, 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones amongst other items.
“Overall, troops remain steadfast in destruction of terrorists across the country. Even as the armed forces remain committed to creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is guaranteed.”
