Security threat Face By Citizens Is Being addressed — DHQ
By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja
The Defence Headquarters on Friday admitted that the threat faced by the current alarming rate of insecurity to citizens and assured that concerted efforts were being made by the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies in the country to ensure peace and security nationwide.
This was revealed in a statement issued to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba, on the update report on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) as of February 2nd in the various theatres of operations across the six geopolitical zones of the country against insurgency activities.
According to him, “The military understands the true extent of the threat that we are facing and is winning the war. Countering insurgency is not a sprint but rather a marathon.
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” Accordingly, troops are taking the fight to the terrorists and making strides each passing day. Much has been done, and much more is still being done to achieve peace and security across the country.
” The armed forces are not oblivious to the security challenges across the country in recent times, particularly with the spike in kidnappings for ransom. Whether or not advertised crowdfunding is contributing to the kidnappings across the country remains an ongoing debate.
“The ugly trend of kidnappings has dimmed the light on the successes of gallant troops in combating terrorists, insurgents, and their cohorts across the country to create a safer environment for citizens.
“The military recognises the urgency for an immediate turnaround of the situation and is, therefore, actively working for peace and security across the country. It is worthy of mention to state that achieving enduring peace in the country requires that there be a change in the conditions that make the terrorists, insurgents, and their cohorts willing to fight and carry out dastardly acts on fellow citizens.
“The situation therefore calls for all hands on deck, with everyone playing their role towards achieving enduring peace. The armed forces, on their part, have boots on the ground strategically deployed across the country to combat the terrorists, insurgents, and their cohorts.
He pointed out that accordingly, “during the week under review, troops neutralised 185 and arrested 212 of them. Troops also arrested 44 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 71 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South-South region, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Sixty-Five Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand and Fifty Naira (N1,065,885,050.00) only.
He added that furthermore, “troops recovered 224 assorted weapons and 2,337 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 113 AK47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT gun, 44 locally fabricated guns, 4 pump-action guns, 2 pistols, 2 locally fabricated pistols, one Beretta pistol, 25 Dane guns, one double-barrel gun, one single-barrel gun, one locally fabricated revolver gun, and 7 IEDs primed.
According to him, “others are 1,382 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 387 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 74 rounds of 9mm ammo, 23 K2 rounds of ammo, 111 live cartridges, 5,410 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 6 empty cases of cartridges, 2 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 magazines, one pistol magazine, 2 bandoliers, 2 vehicles, 22 motorcycles, 47 mobile phones, 11 HH radios, and the sum of N2,369,670.00, among other items.
He further explained that the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 12 dugout pits, 61 boats, 56 storage tanks, and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered include 78 cooking ovens, 4 pump machines, and 51 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 815,980 litres of stolen crude oil, 163,675 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 1,750 litres of DPK.
While stating that the military understands the true extent of the threat that members of the public are facing and the expectations of winning the war, he declared that countering insurgency was not a sprint but rather a marathon.
“Accordingly, troops are taking the fight to the terrorists and making strides each passing day. Much has been done, and much more is still being done to achieve peace and security across the country,” he stated.
Speaking on “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST), he stated that the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following activities during the period under review: conducted ambush operations, arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators, conducted raid operations, fighting patrols, and offensive operations in Gwoza, MMC, Konduga, Kukawa, Damboa, Bama, and Monguno LGAs all in Borno State, as well as Gujba and Geidam LGAs of Yobe State.
“In addition, troops arrested suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorists and armed robbers in Nganzai and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. Also, ISWAP/JAS terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to troops in Bama and MMC LGAs of Borno State.
Details are as follows: ” On January 24, 2024, troops conducted ambushed operations and made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Following a firefight, troops neutralised seven terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped hostages. During the operation, troops recovered 7 AK47 rifles and 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
“On January 24 and 28, 2024, troops, in conjunction with hybrid forces, ambushed suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 10 terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated guns, and 76 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
” Arrest of Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorist Collaborators: On January 23 and 25, 2024, troops in separate operations arrested three suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in Gujba and MMC LGAs of Yobe and Borno States, respectively.
” On January 25 and 29, 2024, troops in separate operations arrested two suspected BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in MMC and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. One of the suspects, identified as Mallam Aliyu Abubakar, has been on the watch list of troops and other security agencies.
” Raid Operation: On January 25, 2024, troops with hybrid forces raided a suspected illegal drug syndicate in Damagun LGA of Yobe State. During the operation, troops arrested five suspected violent extremists and recovered 10.2 kg of cannabis, 231 grams of DS Exol, and 47 grams of Tramadol.
” Fighting Patrols: Between January 24 and 30, 2024, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols in Kaga, Damboa, and Bama LGAs of Borno State, as well as Geidam and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State, respectively.
During the operation, troops made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 25 terrorists and recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated guns, 3 Dane guns, 207 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 7 primed IEDs, 5 motorcycles, 3 bicycles, 2 Baofeng radios, 4 mobile phones, and IED making materials, amongst others.
“Offensive Operations” On January 26 and 27, 2024, in separate operations, troops with hybrid forces conducted offensive operations and made contact with terrorists in Gwoza and Bama LGAs of Borno. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 15 terrorists and recovered 11 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated guns, 2 Dane guns, and 23 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
“Arrest of Suspected ISWAP/JAS Terrorists: On January 25, 2024, troops, while on patrol, arrested one suspected ISWAP/JAS terrorist in Nganzai LGA of Borno State. The suspect, identified as Ali Ali, claimed to be a member of the Monguno Hybrid Forces.
” Arrest of Suspected Armed Robbers: On January 29, 2024, troops, while on patrol, responded to a distress call on armed robbery activities in Monguno LGA of Borno State. During the operation, troops arrested one suspect.
” Surrender of BH/ISWAP/JAS Terrorists: Between January 24 and 28, a total of 133 terrorists, comprising 4 adult males, 48 adult females, and 81 children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
“Surrender of Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorist Escapees: Between January 24 and 29, a total of 129 escapees suspected to be BH/ISWAP terrorists’ family members, comprising 5 adult males, 47 adult females, and 74 children, surrendered to troops in Bama and MMC LGAs of Borno State.
“According to him, “Overall, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 45 terrorists, arrested 8 BH/ISWAP terrorists, and rescued 18 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 29 AK47 rifles, 10 locally fabricated guns, 5 Dane guns, 7 primed IEDs, 231 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 Baofeng radios, 5 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones, 3 bicycles, and IED making materials, among others.
Speaking on “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL), he said that the Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review: conducting fighting patrols, arresting suspected violent extremists and militias, notorious kidnappers, gunrunners, and illegal miners in Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Mangu, and Bassa LGAs of Plateau.
He explained that the details were as follows: “fighting patrols. Between January 23 and 26, 2024, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols and made contact with violent extremists and insurgents in Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 15 insurgents and arrested 20 suspected violent extremists. During the operations, troops recovered 22 AK47 rifles, 4 locally fabricated guns, 2 Dane guns, 2 pistols, 157 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 15 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 6 rounds of 9mm ammo, one pistol magazine, 7 mobile phones, and the sum of N26,000.00 only.
According to him, “Update on the Clash between Fulani and Mwaghavul Militias. On January 25, 2024, following the attack on the Fulani settlement earlier on January 23, 2023, troops arrested four suspects in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. During the operations, troops recovered two fabricated rifles.
Arrest of a Violent Extremist or Notorious Kidnapper: On January 25, 2024, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested a violent extremist/notorious kidnapper in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State. The suspect, identified as Mr. Haruna Abdul, has been on the wanted list of security agencies for kidnapping activities.
“Arrest of Suspected Violent Extremists/Militias Members: On January 25, 2024, troops, while conducting fighting patrols, responded to information on violent extremist and military activities in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. During the operations, troops arrested 12 suspected violent extremists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 6 fabricated rifles, one Dane gun, 97 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 cartridges, 5 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, one pistol magazine, one motorcycle, 9 mobile phones, and the sum of N29,280.00, amongst others.
” Arrest of Illegal Miners: On January 26, 2024, troops in separate operations raided an illegal mining site in Jos South and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State. Troops arrested 11 illegal miners.
f. Arrest of suspected violent extremists or insurgents. Between January 25 and 27, 2024, troops in separate operations conducted fighting patrols and arrested 13 suspected violent extremists and insurgents in Mangu and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 5 locally fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, one Dane gun, 15 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 cartridges, one motorcycle, and six mobile phones, among others.
Incident Report: On January 27, 2024, troops responded to information about suspicious movements of suspected violent extremists or insurgents in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. During the operation, troops made contact with the insurgents. Following a firefight, troops neutralised two insurgents and recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally fabricated revolver gun, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, and 21 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.
h. Arrest of suspected gunrunners: On January 28, 2024, following a tip-off, troops conducted a stop and search operation and intercepted a suspected violent extremist vehicle in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops arrested two suspects and recovered five AK-47 rifles and a mobile phone. The suspect claimed to have been contracted to deliver the weapons to Mr Danladi in the same LGA.
i. Rescue of Kidnapped Victims: On January 27, 2024, troops while on patrol, responded to a distress call on kidnapping activities in Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. During the operation, troops rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.
According to him, “Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralised 17 insurgents, arrested 64 violent extremists, and rescued three kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 38 AK47 rifles, 17 locally fabricated guns, 2 pistols, one fabricated pistol, one locally fabricated revolver gun, 7 dane guns, 118 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 244 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 live cartridges, 20 empty cases of 7.62mm special, one pistol magazine, 2 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, and the sum of N55,280.00, amongst others.
