Stop Acquiring Fertilizers For Sinister Purposes – DHQ Warns
…as Military Kills 64 Terrorists In Yobe
By Lazarus Zakaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters on Thursday, in Abuja, has warned against acquiring fertilizers for sinister purposes by criminal elements in the country.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, (CDMO), Major General John Enenche, gave the warning while briefing Defence Correspondents in Abuja, on military operations nationwide from January 7 to 13.
He words…
“Equally, while fertilizers are majorly for agricultural purposes, the possibility of it being acquired by criminal gangs, terrorists and militants for sinister purposes cannot be disregarded as fertilizer has remained a potential component for the fabrication of explosives owing to its content of ammonium nitrate.
“Furthermore, the arrested fertilizer poses a security threat considering current security challenges”, he noted.
CDMOs also said, that no fewer than 64 terrorists of the Boko Haram and the Islamic State of the West Africa Province, (ISWAP), were killed during an encounter with troops in Yobe state within the week.
General Enenche noted that on January 9, 2021, troops of the newly launched subsidiary Operation TURA TAKAI BANGO had contact and engaged some marauding Boko Haram criminal elements at Gujba Local Government of Yobe State.
“During the encounter, 28 terrorists were neutralized and several others escaped with gunshot wounds, while one gun truck and several arms and ammunition were recovered”, he said.
Similarly, he added that on same day, troops had an encounter with some Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists at Gonan Kaji Village along Damaturu-Buni Yadi Road in Yobe State,
The CDMO said that it was a smooth opration for troops “during which 30 terrorists were killed in contact while caches of arms and ammunition were recovered by troops.”
In same vein, he said on 10 January 2021, troops had contact and engaged with some marauding Boko Haram elements at Kafa Village in Damboa Local Government Are of Yobe State.
“During the encounter, 6 terrorists were neutralized and a gun truck and several weapons as well as equipment belonging to the terrorists were destroyed”, he stated.
Speaking on the operations in the South South, he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone progressively.
“Notably on 9 January 2021, gun boats of Forward Operating Base IBAKA while on routine patrol around Effiat waterways intercepted and arrested a large wooden boat laden with 1,184 of 25kg bags of Yaraliva Nitrabor Fertilizer suspected to be smuggled in from Republic of Cameroon with 2 suspects.
“Suspects and items are currently in custody and will soon be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority.
“Equally, on 11 January 2021, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around MBO River intercepted and arrested a medium size wooden boat laden with 17 drums of 300 litres of products suspected to be PMS with 2 suspects.
“Furthermore, on 11 January 21, acting on credible intelligence, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA in conjunction with Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft operation around the general area of Warri South Local Government Area.
“During the operations, the team discovered one large wooden boat laden with about 215,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil at along Jones Creek, Warri South West Local Government Area. Accordingly, the boat and product were handled appropriately.
“These arrests affirm Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment towards eradicating sundry crimes in the country.
The high command reassured the public of its untiring commitment towards securing the country, enjoining members of the general public to continue providing timely information to the military and other security agencies, on the activities of criminals in their various localities, for prompt and effective action.
