In the continuous effort to rid the country of terrorist/criminal elements, the ARMED AFORCES of Nigeria recorded success across different Security Operations in the Country.
This was contained In a press statement highlighting the success recorded across the different Operations which was made available to newsmen by the Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba.
Troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrols and neutralized terrorists in Bama and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam and Tarmuwa LGAs of Yobe State. Troops conducted ambush operations on terrorists in Bama and Gombi LGAs of Borno and Adamawa States respectively.
Troop’s activities caused BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants to surrendered in Geidam LGA of Yobe State. Similarly, troops foiled attack on locals in Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
On 25 October 2023, troops ambushed BH/ISWAP terrorists in Bama LGA of Borno State. Following a firefight, troops neutralized 3 BH/ISWAP and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 magazines, 3 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 2 mobile phones, one bicycle, one camelback bag and the sum of the sum of Two Thousand Two Hundred Naira (₦2,200.00) only.
On 25 October 2023, troops patrol intercepted suspected kidnappers in Gombi LGA of Adamawa State. Following troops engagement, the criminals fled causing troops to exploit the area and recovered 2 AK47 rifles , 15 rounds of 7.62mm special and one motorcycle.
on 23 October 2023, the air component conducted air interdiction on terrorists enclaves in Grazah. The terrorists were sited hibernating in the location, causing it to be acquired and engaged with rockets.
Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 41 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 241 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 57 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 22 magazines, 7 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones, one camel bag, one bicycle and the sum of N2,200. Troops also neutralized 42 terrorists, arrested 15 and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages.
Troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN arrested criminals and members of gunrunning syndicate operating in Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Troops also raided a criminals hideout in Bokkos LGA of Platean State and recovered arms and ammunitions.
On 23 and 24 October 2023, while conducting seperate operations, troops arrested 3 suspects in Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspect is connected with a gunrunning syndicate that specializes in illegal distribution of arms and ammo to criminals in Southern Kaduna. Troops recovered one vehicle, wrist watch, NP camo cap, wallet, 2 ATM cards and 3 mobile phones.
Similarly, on 26 and 27 October 2023, troops while conducting separate operations with hybrid forces arrested 2 suspected members of a gun running indicate in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Preliminary investigation revealed one to be a member of the gunrunning syndicate,while the other was an associate of notorious terrorist on the watch list known as Muhammad Kaduna Dantala. Troops recovered one pistol, 48 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 mobile phones, multiple ID cards, some illicit drugs and the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000.00) only.
Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered one pistol, 48 rounds of 9mm ammo, one vehicle, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N200,000 only, amongst other items. Troops also neutralized 2 terrorists and arrested 6, while rescuing 2 kidnapped hostages.
Troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE arrested suspected criminals in Katsina-Ala and Takum LGAs of Benue and Taraba States respectively. Troops also rescued kidnapped Okpokwu and Obi LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa States respectively. Furthermore, troops raided criminal hideout in Takum LGA of Taraba State.
On 23 October 2023, troops arrested 2 suspected kidnappers in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. The suspects are members of Benue State Livestock Guards. Preliminary investigation revealed the suspects masterminded series of kidnappings and other nefarious activities within Logo and Ukum LGAs of Benue State. Troops recovered 2 mobile phones, 2 ATM cards and the sum of Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (₦10,900.00) only. Further investigation, ongoing.
On 23 October 2023, troops patrol arrested 3 suspected terrorists in Takum LGA of Taraba State. The arrested persons reportedly masterminded the killing of one Mr Tyovenda Iordye at Tse-Tana Village in Donga LGA of Taraba State on 22 Oct 23. Further investigation , ongoing.
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 5 terrorists, arrested 17 terrorists and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages. Also, troops recovered 5 locally fabricated rifles and 2 motorcycles.
The troops of OPERATION HADARIN DAJI rescued kidnapped hostages in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Troops also made arrest and, recovered of arms and ammunition.
On 24 October 2023, troops night patrol foiled a kidnap incident in Faskari LGA of Katsina State and rescued 2 hostages. The hostages have been reunited with their families.
On 27 October 2023 the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted air interdiction on a terrorists kingpin enclave in Zamfara State. The location belong to a terrorist kngoin known as Mai Solar was observed , acquired and engaged , destroying the terrorist hibernating in the location. Feedback reveals that several terrorists were neutralized.
Troops of OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH conducted raid on terrorists residence in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.
On 22 October 2023, troops raided a suspected terrorist collaborator and logistician hideout in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. The suspect reportedly supplies ammunition and other items to the terrorist. The suspect identified as Dantani, supplies ammo to criminals around Zango Kataf general area while disguised as a yam seller. Following the raid,troops arrested 3 additional suspects and investigation is ongoing.
On 25 October 2023, troops arrested 4 suspected terrorists informants in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja. Investigation , ongoing.
Troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Troops arrested suspected criminals in Udu and Akpabuyo LGAs of Delta and Cross River States respectively. Troops also conducted raid operation in Bakassi LGA of Cross River State.
Troops discovered and destroyed 106 dugout pits, 111 boats, 229 storage tanks, 290 cooking ovens, 8 pumping machine, 10 outboard engine, 2 speedboats, one vessel and 96 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 506,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 477,790 litres of illegally refined AGO and 51,000 litres of DPK. Troops also apprehended 57 suspected oil thefts.
On 23 October 2023, troops responded to a distress call on youths firing sporadically into the air in Udu LGA of Delta State. The youths were said to be protesting a leadership tussle. During operation, troops arrested 12 suspects while 5 injured suspects were evacuated to the hospital. Troops recovered 3 pump action guns, 35 live cartridges, empty shell, axes and cutlasses.
On 29 Oct ober 2023, following a tip off, troops raided the residence of a suspected gun runner and arms dealer in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State. Following the raid, troops arrested one suspect and recovered one double barrel locally made rifle, 3 live cartridges, 4 walking talking radios, 3 mobile phones, assorted charms and some military accoutrements.
On 25 October 2023, a fisherman handed over 166 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO (Linked) to troops in Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State. The fisherman reported that he discovered the ammo at Nembe River wrapped and tied in a cellophane bag.
Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 106 dugout pits, 111 boats, 229 storage tanks, 290 cooking ovens, 8 pumping machine, 10 outboard engine, 2 speedboats, one vessel and 96 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 506,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 477,790 litres of illegally refined AGO and 51,000 litres of DPK. Troops also apprehended 57 suspected oil theft perpetrators and recovered 3 pump action guns, one pistols, one locally made double barrel rifle, one dane gun, 166 rounds of 7.62mm NATO (linked), 2 rounds of 9mm ammo, 38 live cartridges, 15 vehicles, 6 motorcycles 3 mobile phones amongst other items.
Troops of OPERATION UDO KA conducted raid operation to criminals hideouts in Nnewi-South and Ohaukwu LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi States respectively.
On 23 October 2023, troops raided a suspected criminals’ hideout in Nnewi-South LGA of Anambra State. During the operation troops arrested 3 suspected criminals.On 26 October 2023, in separates operations, troops raided a suspected criminals hideouts in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State. Following the operations, troops made 3 arrest and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 48 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 magazines.
On 31 Oct 23, troops in conjunction with DSS personnel raided the house of an IPOB/ESN extremist at ISHIEKE in ABAKALIKI Metropolis of EBONYI State. During the operation, troops arrested one suspected IPOB/ESN criminal and recovered one reel of detonating cord, 57 water gel explosive, and one bag of plastic explosive. Apprehended suspect and recovered items are in troops’ custody for further action.
On 30 October 2023, troops arrested 2 suspected IPOB/ESN IED criminals in Okigwe and Ishielu LGAs of Imo and Ebonyi States respectively. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspect identified as Mr AKACHUKWU OKECHUKWU (aka AKIN) as an IPOB/ESN logistician. Investigation , ongoing.
In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 6 terrorist, made 13 arrest and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 5 fabricated rifles, 2 pistols, one dane gun, 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 179 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO, 35 cartridges and 6 magazines.
Major General Edward Buba stated that all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action. underscoring the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to enhancing security and stability in the country.
