Troops have killed 181 suspected terrorists and arrested 203 others within one week, according to the Defence Media Operations (DMO).
The operations also led to the arrest of 50 individuals involved in oil theft and the rescue of 161 kidnapped hostages.
Major General Edward Buba, DMO spokesperson, in a statement on Friday, confirmed that the offensive against terrorists continues across various operational theatres, particularly in the Northwest, where dry season operations are in full swing.
Troops also arrested notorious kidnappers and gunrunner Mohammed Musa in Plateau State, while seizing significant quantities of weapons and ammunition, including 228 assorted firearms and over 6,700 rounds of ammunition.
The statement read: “In the SS, troops denied oil theft estimated at Seven Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (₦728,297,650.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 228 assorted weapons and 6,749 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: four GPMGs, 3 G3 rifles, 85 AK47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 36 dane guns, 12 FN rifles, 3 fabricated revolver pistols, 24 locally made pistols, 16 pump-action guns, 2 single-barrel guns, one Beretta pistol, 4 hand grenades, 3 IEDs, and 63 magazines.
“Others include: 2,891 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,354 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 586 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 821 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 409 rounds of 7.62mm PKT ammo, 32 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm PKT ammo, 21 rounds of 9mm ammo, 618 live cartridges, 1,146 assorted empty cases of ammo, 3 bandoliers, 4 Baofeng radios, 15 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 42 mobile phones, and the sum of ₦577,800.00, among other items.”
In the Niger Delta, troops disrupted oil theft activities, destroying illegal refining sites, recovering stolen crude oil and refined products, and confiscating vessels and equipment used in illegal operations.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, 38 boats, 44 storage tanks, and 47 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 6 speedboats, 3 receivers, 48 drums, 3 motorcycles, one mobile phone, and 12 vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 765,680 litres of stolen crude oil and 86,725 litres of illegally refined AGO,” the statement added.
The military remains committed to eradicating terrorism and ensuring peace and safety for citizens, the army spokesman said.
