Troops Neutralize 159 Terrorists, Arrest 174 Suspects In Nationwide Operations – Defence HQ

Abuja, Nigeria- The Defence Headquarters announced that Nigerian troops have killed at least 159 terrorists and arrested 174 suspects in a series of nationwide military operations conducted over the past week.

The operations, which also led to the rescue of 188 kidnapped individuals, highlight the military’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and criminal activity across the country.

The Director of Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward, made the announcement in a statement released on Friday, detailing the successes achieved by the military in its ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-crime campaigns.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 159 terrorists and arrested 174 suspects,” Major General Edward said.

“In addition, 45 perpetrators of oil theft were apprehended, and 188 kidnapped hostages were rescued from the hands of non-state actors.”

The operations also resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of weapons, including 151 assorted firearms and 12,401 rounds of ammunition, strengthening the military’s efforts to curtail the activities of non-state actors responsible for widespread insecurity.

The statement read, “Furthermore, troops recovered 151 assorted weapons and 12,401 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 3 PKT guns, one SLR, 92 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, 15 Dane guns, 4 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one pistol, 2 RPG tubes, one RPG bomb, 66 AK47 magazines, one FN magazine, 2 locally fabricated hand grenades.

“Others are 10,346 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,094 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 92 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 479 rounds of PKT ammo, 182 rounds of MG ammo, 43 rounds of 9.5mm ammo, 12 rounds of 9mm ammo, 35 live cartridges, 35 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 2 baofeng radios, 15 vehicles, 39 motorcycles, 28 mobile phones and the sum of N5,386,200.00 only amongst other items.”

According to Buba, During the operations conducted in the south-south region of the country, Buba said troops recovered stolen crude oil worth N736m.

“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated N736,971,450.00 only. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 9 dugout pits, 35 boats, four speedboats, 32 drums and 57 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 20 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 14 vehicles, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 10 mobile phones and 71 illegal refining sites.

“Troops recovered 788,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 28,995 litres of illegally refined AGO, 300 litres of DPK and 3,000 litres of PMS.”

Buba noted that the military had strategically deployed troops in Edo State to ensure a violence-free and fair election.

“Furthermore, troops are strategically deployed to ensure that the off-cycle governorship election scheduled for 21 September 2024 in Edo State is violence-free, fair and credible. Troops’ role is to support the police to ensure voters’ safety and security. Accordingly, troops’ presence is to thwart the activities of those elements bent on fomenting crisis during the elections,” he added.