Troops kill 118, arrest 97 in one week

Troops on the frontline have neutralised 118 terrorists and arrested 97 individuals over the past week, according to the Defence Media Operations (DMO).

Major General Edward Buba, the spokesman for DMO, revealed that the operations also led to the arrest of 18 individuals involved in oil theft and the rescue of 96 kidnapped hostages.

He said that the armed forces are committed to dismantling terrorist networks and infrastructure across the nation, noting: “During the week under review, troops neutralised 118 and arrested 97 persons. Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 96 kidnapped hostages.”

Buba noted that in the South-South region, troops prevented oil theft valued at an estimated N793,257,250.

Additionally, troops recovered 87 assorted weapons and 2,244 rounds of ammunition, including one PKT gun, one PKM, one RPG, one auto pistol, 43 AK47 rifles, 14 fabricated rifles, and five pump-action guns. Other recovered items include 10 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 50 mobile phones, and cash amounting to N778,560.00.

In the Niger Delta, troops discovered and destroyed four dugout pits, 48 boats, three speedboats, and 44 illegal refining sites, among other items. They also recovered 602,200 litres of stolen crude oil, 64,900 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 12,690 litres of PMS.

“Troops are in a good position in winning the war against terrorism. Indeed, the armed forces will continue to innovate and develop new strategies to defend the country and protect citizens from the perpetrators of insecurity,” Buba affirmed.