39 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED, 157 TERRORISTS ARRESTED, 16 OIL THEFT PERPETRATORS ARRESTED, 109 KIDNAPPED HOSTAGES RESCUED,CASH, AMMUNITION, GUNS,MOTORCYCLES CONFISCATED-GEN EDWARD BUBA, DDMO

39 TERRORISTS NEUTRALIZED, 157 TERRORISTS ARRESTED, 16 OIL THEFT PERPETRATORS ARRESTED, 109 KIDNAPPED HOSTAGES RESCUED,CASH, AMMUNITION, GUNS,MOTORCYCLES CONFISCATED-GEN EDWARD BUBA, DDMO 

By Nanyah Daman, Andy Shaks, Yuwana Enoch,Joan Yusuf, David Kazi, Justin Jattim, Michael Nangwang, Anastasia Jatbyen, Vanessa Timbyen,Nanpon Maigemu, Nanzing Zingkong and Jatdul Jerry, Abuja-Nigeria. 

In a press statement signed by Major Gen Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations and made available to the NewsGate Magazine, the NewsCrest Newspaper, Ace News Online, Jat HotNews Newspaper,Frank News Magazine, Emerald Magazine, Trust News Online, Reliable and Factual News Online, Prompt News Online, Prompt News Online and the Age Newspaper on the 31st of August, 2023 at the fortnight briefings by the Defence Directorate of Information hinted that 39 terrorists were neutralized, 157 terrorists were arrested, 16 oil theft perpetrators were nabbed, 109 kidnapped hostages were freed,lots of guns,ammunition, motorcycles and other dangerous weapons were ceased. 

The complete media conference text is as follows:

PRESS BRIEFING ON ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS BY THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA AS OF 31ST AUGUST  2023

1. The ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country remain critical to the armed forces' efforts to achieve peace and ensure that violent extremist groups do not find safe haven in the country. The focus of the military is to conduct its operations in support of national security interests. Accordingly, the armed forces continue to work with supportive groups to defeat any group undermining security and safety in the country.

2. During the week leading to 31 August 2023, the military neutralized 39 terrorists and arrested 157 terrorists, 16 perpetrators of oil theft. Troops also rescued 109 kidnapped hostages and denied oil theft of the sum of Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Million Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand Naira (N765,863,000.00) only.

3. Furthermore, troops recovered 55 assorted weapons and 96 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 12 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, one HK21 gun, one FN rifle loaded with 5 rounds of NATO ammo, 2 Dane guns, 3 fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, 3 locally made pistols, 11 AK47 magazines, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 rounds of 9mm ammo, one cartridge, one bandolier, 7 rounds 7.62mm special empty cases,  24 motorcycles, 13 mobile phones, 10 bicycles and the sum of Eight Hundred and Eighty One Thousand Seven Hundred Naira (N881,700.00).

4. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites.  Also, troops recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.  

5. The military will continue to pursue aggressive military operations against violent extremist groups seeking to undermine the security of the country and conduct violence against the people. Accordingly, the armed forces remains focused on its core mission and would continually make adjustments along the way to better protect citizens, while isolating and annihilating those groups constituting a security nuisance to the country.

EDWARD BUBA

Major General

Director of Defence Media Operations

Enclosure:

1. Report on Ongoing Military Operational Activities by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as of 31 August 2023.

REPORT ON ONGOING MILITARY OPERATIONS BY THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA AS AT 31 AUGUST  2023

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST)

1. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI ambushed and arrested BH/ISWAP terrorists in Gwoza and Tarmuwa LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectfully. Troops offensive led to the surrender of some BH/ISWAP terrorist combatants at Gwoza LGAs of Borno State and resulted in eliminated terrorists, rescued kidnapped hostages, recovery of arms and ammunitions.

2. Details as follows:

a. Troops Ambush Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorists.    Between 21 and 23 August 2023, in two separate operations troops ambushed BH/ISWAP at Pulka and Firgi in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. During the fire fight, troops neutralized 4 terrorists while others fled. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle with 9 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo. 

b.  Troops Arrested Suspected BH/ISWAP Terrorists. On 25 August 2023, troops following a tip-off conducted a raid at Mafa Village in Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe State. The raid resulted in the arrest of 4 BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants. Items recovered include; one HK 21 gun, one AK 47 rifle, one empty magazine, and 17 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo. 

c. Surrendered Terrorist Combatants and Families. On 23 August 2023, troops while on fighting patrol apprehended 5 terrorists comprising 3 males terrorist combatants and 2 children in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 10 AK47 rifle magazines, 9 rounds of 7.62 mm Special (refilled ammo), one bandalier and the sum of Five Hundred and Nine Thousand Three Hundred Naira (₦509,300.00) only.

d. Fighting Patrol On 28 Aug 23, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces conducted a fighting patrol at DIKWA LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with BH/ISWAP terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 16 rounds of 7.62 mm Special (refilled ammo) and other sundry items.

3. Air Interdiction. Following active terrorists’ activities at Wulade, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI acquired and engaged the targets at the location. The outcome is being continuous monitored. 

SUMMARY

4. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 6 AK47 rifles, one HK21 gun, one GPMG, one fabricated gun, 11 AK47 magazines, 34 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 17 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, one bandolier, 7 empty case of 7.62mm special, 5 motorcycles, 8 mobile phones and the sum of N368,950.  Troops also neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 45 and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.  

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)

5. Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted raid and recovered arms in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. The operations resulted in neutralized terrorists, arrest of notorious armed robbers and rescue of kidnapped hostages in Jema’s LGA of Kaduna State. 

6. Details are as follows: 

a.  Raid Operation.  On 21 August 2023, troops raided a suspected criminals’ hideout at Gwash Village in Jos Nort LGA of Plateau State. Troops made no contact with the terrorists and exploited the general area, recovering one fabricated pistol and one cartridge.

b. Troops Arrested a Notorious Armed Robber.   Between 23 and 24 August 2023, troops while conducting fighting patrol arrested 2 suspects in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. Preliminary investigation revealed that one was a notorious armed robber on wanted list of security agency. Troops recovered 2 fabricated rifle, one pistol and one dane gun.

c. Arrest of Suspected Criminals. On 29 August 2023, troops while conducting fighting patrol intercepted a criminal at Jos South LGA of Plateau State. Troops arrested the criminals. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle and 37 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo from the suspect.

SUMMARY

7. Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one fabricated AK47 rifles, one fabricated pistol, one dane gun and 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo. Troops neutralized 2 gunmen, rescued 3 hostages and arrested 15 criminals suspects.

OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)

8. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested a member of notorious violent extremist group in Ukum LGA of Benue State. Troops operations resulted in neutralized terrorists and the rescue of kidnapped hostages. 

9. Details are as follows:

a. Troops arrested Suspected Terrorists 

(1) On 22 August 2023, following a tip-off about a member of violent extremist group suspected hibernating in Ukum LGA of Benue State. Troops raided the location and made an arrest. The suspect identified as Lubem Atirga Abagu is member of a notorious violent extremist group led by one Mr Chen. Detailed investigation is ongoing.

(2)    On 23 August 2023, following information of suspected kidnappers hibernating in Takum LGA of Taraba State. Troops conducted a raid,            arresting 3 suspects.

b. Raid operation. On 27 Aug 23, following an intelligence on bandit activities, troops conducted a raid operation in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State. Troops made contact with bandits. Following a fire fight, troops arrested one suspect while others fled. Troops recovered one FN rifle loaded with 5 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo, 2 mobile phones and the sum of Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty Naira (N3,450.00) only.

SUMMARY 

10. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recovered one FN rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 mobile phones, 4 motorcycles and sum of N3,450.00. Troops also, neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested 11 suspects and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages.

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)

11. The troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI continued to clamped down on terrorists’ activities in the general area. Troops neutralized terrorist and recovered arms and ammunition in Talata Mafara, LGA in Zamfara State, as well as Danmusa and Mutazu LGAs in Katsina State. Troops also foiled kidnapped activities in Faskari LGA of Zamfara State and rescued hostages in Bukuyyum LGAs of Katsina State. 

13. Details are as follows;

a. Troops Neutralized Terrorists and Recovered Arms.   

(1) On 22 August 2023, troops acted on tip off about movement of terrorists in Talata Mafara LGA of Zamfara State. Troops ambushed the terrorists neutralizing 2 of them, recovering 2 AK 47 rifles and 4 motorcycles.    

(2) On 23 August 2023, following intelligence on terrorists’ activities in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State. Troops ambushed the terrorists neutralizing 2 of them while others fled. Troops exploited the general area and arrested 14 suspected miscreants. 

(3) On 24 August 2023, troops in response to information on terrorists’ activities in Matazu LGA of Katsina State made contact with terrorists neutralising 3 of them while others fled. Troops recovered 4 motorcycles, one mobile phone and assorted charms.

b. Troops Foiled Kidnapped Activities.    Between 22 and 23 August 2023, troops in separate operations in Faskari LGA of Zamfara State and Bukuyyum LGA of Katsina States. Troops made contact with terrorists. Following a firefight, they abandoned 17 kidnapped victims and fled.  The victims have been reunited with their families. 

14. Air Interdiction. The air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI acquired targets of terrorist activities in Sububu Forest in Kankara LGA of Katsina State. Air strikes were conducted on the targets degrading the terrorists at the location.

SUMMARY 

15. Overall, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 33 terrorists, rescued 40 kidnapped hostages and recovered 3 AK47 rifles. Troops also recovered 18 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones. 

OP WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)

16. Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the fight against terrorists rescued kidnapped hostages at Chikun and Birni Gwari LGAs of Kaduna State. Troops offensive actions resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition.

17. Details as follows: 

a. Troops Rescued Kidnapped Hostages. On 21 August 2023, troops on a separate operation responded to kidnapped activities in Chikun and Birni Gwari LGAs of Kaduna State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, the terrorists fled abandoning their victims. Troops rescued 12 kidnapped hostages and recovered a vehicle with the corpse of the driver killed by the terrorists. 

18. Air Interdiction. The air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH acquired targets of terrorist activities around Kuduru, Gagafada and Kwanan Mutuwa. Subsequently, the targets were engaged degrading the terrorist hibernating at the location.

SUMMARY

19. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH eliminated 9 terrorists, arrested 6 suspected terrorists and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages.

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)

21. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Troops also intercepted and destroyed vehicles loaded with illegal refined products in Ughelli and Eleme LGAs of Delta and Rivers State respectively.

22. Details as follows:

a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites

(1) Troops discovered and destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.  Troops also arrested 16 suspected oil theft. 

 (2) On 22 and 23 August 2023, troops intercepted vehicles loaded with illegally refined AGO in Ughelli and Eleme LGAs of Delta and Rivers States. Troops moved vehicles to safe place and subsequently destroyed. 

23. Air Interdiction. On 21 Aug 23, the air component conducted air interdictions over active illegal refining sites at Abisse and Idama. The targets were engaged with cannons and rockets destroyed the equipment and reservoirs. Additionally, air component destroyed a boat fully loaded with illegally refined products sighted within the gen area. The boat was attacked with rockets.

SUMMARY

24. Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites.  Also, troops recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.  Troops also arrested 16 suspected oil thefts.

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)

25. Troops of Operation UDO KA arrested suspected criminals and recovered arms and ammunition at Orumba South and Oji River LGAs of Anambra and Enugu State respectively. Troops also foiled kidnap activities and rescued hostages in Enugu East and Ohimini of Enugu and Benue State respectively. 

26. Details are as follows: 

a. Troops Arrested Suspected Criminals

(1) On 21 August 2023, troops conducted a fighting in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State. Troops made contact and arrested 3 suspected criminals. Troops recovered one locally made pistol with 2 rounds of 9 mm ammo from the suspects.

 

(2) On 25 August 2023, following stop and search operation, troops arrested a suspected criminal at Check Point in Oji River LGA of Enugu State. Troops recovered one loaded locally made pistol, a cartridge and a pair of canvas among other items.

b. Troops Rescued Kidnapped Hostages  

(1) On 23 August 2023, troops responded to info of kidnapping incident in Enugu East LGA of Enugu State. Troops mobilized to the general area. On sighting troops, the terrorists fled and abandoned 10 hostages.  

(2) On 24 August 2023, troops responded to info of kidnapping incident in Ohimini LGA of Benue State. On sighting troops, criminals fled. Troops rescued 4 hostages.

SUMMARY

27. In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered 2 locally made pistols, 2 rounds of 9mm ammo, one live cartridge and a pair of canvas. Troops also neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 23 suspected criminals and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

CONCLUSION

28.  The military will continue to pursue aggressive military operations against violent extremist groups seeking to undermine the security of the country and conduct violence against the people. Accordingly, the armed forces remains focused on its core mission and would continually make adjustments along the way to better protect citizens, while isolating and annihilating those groups constituting a security nuisance to the country. 

EDWARD BUBA

Major General

Director Defence Media Operations