kankara Abduction:Military Vows To Rescue Schoolboys Alive, Unhurt

 

By Lazarus Zakaa, Abuja.

The Military high command, (DHQ), on Wednesday, in Abuja vowed that it would rescue all the abducted schoolboys of Government Science School, Kankara, in Katsina state alive and unhurt.

The Defence Headquarters has also confirmed that none of the kidnapped schoolboys has died in captivity.

The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, while briefing Journalists in Abuja, on the successes of military operations nationwide, said that the military’s crack team were already on ground, conducting operations in efforts to free the abducted schoolboys.

over 300 of the schoolboys were abducted last Friday, by gunmen, at Kankara in Katsina state

The Coordinator, who said that top security chiefs and commanders, led by the minister of Defence, were in Kankara, to sympathise with the Principal of the school, parents and the Emir, disclosed that the terrorists entered the school in a commando style, using motorcycles.

“They entered the school compound, wounded the police there badly. They came in motorcycles and started shooting sporadically into the air in the school compound. The students began to run helter-skelter, and of course, they moved some of them.”

“When troops came, it was not in the best interests to do direct shooting. They were shooting into the air, because the children were used as bodyshields.”

“While the fire lasted, they moved the children. We used indirect fire because these children must be rescued alive. It is the characteristics of terrorists, immediately they are loosing strength where they are, they begin to look for soft targets”, he lamented.

“We have assured that the children will be rescued alive. Up till thus morning, I was in touch with them in the field and information we have is that efforts are being made to ensure the children are not hurt. They are coming out.  No on is dead. We have not received any information that anyone of them is dead”, he added.

Giving account on military operations nationwide from December 3 to 15, 2020, General Enenche said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies had continued to sustain their efforts in the execution of major operations across the country.

“I will be updating you on the operations from 3 to 15 December 2020. In the North West, North East and North Central Zones troops have progressively sustained their efforts to rid the Zones of banditry and other sundry crimes.

“Within the period in focus, troops carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and air operations, which resulted in the neutralization and arrest of some criminals as well as recovery of arms and ammunition.

“The Military, in conjunction with other security agencies operating in the Operation DELTA SAFE area of responsibility carried out comprehensive anti-illegal refinery and anti-oil theft operations in the South-South Zone.

“The Operations led to the discovery and immobilization of several illegal refineries and forestalling of other activities of economic saboteurs.

According to him, on 3 December 2020, some repentant cultists surrendered weapons to troops of 29 Battalion and Nigerian Police at Bodo Community in Gakama Local Government Area of Rivers State. The weapons surrendered include 4 AK 47 rifles, 5 G3 rifles, 2 Pump action guns, 2 locally made pistols, one Dane-gun, one K2 rifle, one Pump Machine rifle, 13 magazines and 240 rounds of ammunition.”

“Also, on 6 December, troops of 103 Battalion discovered 8 illegal oil refineries at Iyalama and Jellikiri general areas in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

 

“The illegal refineries were immobilized by troops and the areas secured to deter reactivation of the facilities. In a similar development, on 3 December 2020, troops of 29 Battalion discovered and immobilized an illegal refinery containing about 5,000 litres of illegally refined AGO at Rumuekpe Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

“While troops of 146 Battalion on same day, discovered and immobilized 3 reactivated illegal refinery sites containing 6 boilers, 12 storage tanks and one wooden boat with illegally refined petroleum products around Opokiri and Ijawkiri in Bonny Local Government Area of the State.”

” In same vein, on same day, troops of 103 Battalion immobilized a warehouse containing 53 jerry cans of illegally refined AGO along Abonnema- Obonoma Road in  Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.”

“Relatedly, on 5 December 2020, troops of 29 Battalion discovered and immobilized 3 illegal oil refinery sites around Bolo 1, 2 and 3 as well as Tupsoi in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area”

“On same day, troops immobilized illegal refinery sites around Ikata and Edeoha in Ahoada East Local Government Area, while troops of 19 Battalion intercepted and immobilized 2 wooden boats laden with illegally refined AGO along Otunana Creek in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.”

“Also, on same day, troops of 146 Battalion intercepted and immobilized 4 wooden boats and unspecified quantity of crude oil around Orutoru and Peterside in Bonny Local Government Area of River State.”

“In another development, on 6 December 2020, troops of 103 Battalion immobilized 3 wooden boats mounted with 40 Horse Power out board engines around Sama Creek in the State.”

“Also, on same day, troops of 3 Battalion arrested 4 pipeline vandals with 3 gas cylinders, one local boat, one sledge hammer, one nozzle and a hose at Kusumi Community in Warri South – West Local Government Area of Delta State.”

“On 7 December 2020, troops of 146 Battalion demobilized illegal refining sites containing 7 boilers, 2 reservoirs and a storage tanks laden with illegally refined petroleum products around Orutoru and Oputumbi in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

“In the South West zone, troops of Operation AWATSE have continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic saboteurs and other criminal elements in the zone.”

On 3 December 2020, troops of 32 Artillery Brigade in conjunction with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC And NDLEA arrested 2 suspected drug  peddlers with 59 bags of Indian Hemp along Ala road in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“In another development, troops of Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base Igbokoda arrested a suspected kidnapper at Asere in Ese Odo Local government Area of the State. The suspect has since been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agency for necessary action”, the CDMO stated.

The DHQ encouraged the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain determined and sustain the tempo in all the Joint Operations Areas.

It also reassured the general public of its untiring dedication towards securing the country, soliciting for timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the military and other security agencies for prompt and effective action.

 

Leave a Reply

Verified by ExactMetrics