The Defence Headquarters has revealed that the military is winning war against terrorists and insecurity across the country.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
The statement said that the military is carrying out war against terrorists in line with the laws of armed conflict and based on intelligence.
Buba also explained that the ongoing operations are based on both military necessity and on distinguishing between civilians, noncombatants, and terrorists.
He said, “The military will continue to take the fight to the terrorists and their cohorts until they are destroyed or surrendered.”
While giving updates on troops’ operations across the country in the past week, Buba noted that the troops killed 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.
The army spokesman said, “Recently, the military conducted two major air strikes on the terrorist enclave. One of the strikes, on 6 December 23, neutralized several top terrorist commanders. Namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist (Dogo Gide).
“Other prominent terrorist leaders neutralized include Haro and Dan Muhammadu, both of whom are specialists in kidnapping and assault operations respectively.
“Additionally, on 11 December 23, through a synchronized strike between air and ground forces aimed at the same target. A renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, and Ali Alhaji ALHERI popularly called Kachalla Ali KAWAJE was neutralized in Munya LGA of Niger state along with many of his foot soldiers.
In the statement added that the military was fast closing in on others and they will equally suffer the same fate.
Also speaking on troops operation in the South East, he said on December 13 troops in collaborative efforts with other security agencies arrested a prominent commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network.
Buba said, “The commander, one Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was arrested together with three other sub-commanders, namely Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere.
“The trio were arrested after a raid on their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. They gathered to plot a take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from the apprehended former Commander known as “Chocho”. They also planned to attack troop locations.
“During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. It could be recalled that Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was the Second in Command to Chocho, a notorious IPOB/ESN leader currently in custody. Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was conducted in December 142. Troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47 magazines, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition, and one Pump action rifle.”
Buba disclosed that troops also arrested 66 oil thieves and recused 89 kidnap victims.
He revealed that troops on operations in the south-south region recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 20,600 litres of petrol.
Buba declared that the troops also destroyed 15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, 3 pumping machines, 64 illegal refining sites.
He said, “Furthermore, troops recovered 67 assorted weapons and 1,194 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action guns, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 locally fabricated double barrel guns, one barreta pistol, 4 locally made pistols, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one round of 5.56mm ammo, 15 live cartridges.
“Others are: one magazine loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one LMG magazine, one CZ pistol magazine, 7 empty magazines, one locally made pistol magazine, one damaged magazine, one dane gun butt, 5 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, 32 motorcycles, one laptop and the sum of N1,123,800.00 amongst other items.”
