Nigerian Troops arrest kill 37 terrorists, apprehend 15 oil thieves

The Defence Headquarters has said that troops of the Nigerian military have arrested 148 criminals and rescued 140 kidnap victims during several operations across the country in the past two weeks.

It said that the troops also killed 36 terrorists, apprehended 15 oil thieves theft and recovered the sum of N3,177,650.00 from criminal gangs.Director of Defence Media Operation, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, said these at a briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja while updating journalists on troops operations across the country.

Giving details the Defence spokesperson said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East killed nine terrorists, arrested six collaborators and rescued 12 kidnap victims.In the North Central zone, Buba said troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and Operation Whirl Stroke killed one terrorist, arrested 23 suspects and rescued nine kidnap victims.

He said: “The operational activities of troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in North West resulted in the rescue of kidnapped hostages as well as the arrest of some terrorists in Jibia, Matazu and Funtua Local Government Areas all in Katsina State.

Troops also, foiled attacks on farmers, conducted several air interdictions and recovered arms and ammunition in Maru and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

“On 25 July 23, troops responded to information on terrorists’ attack at Solar – Faru close to Malamawa Village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Troops overpowered the fleeing terrorist and rescued 20 hostages being kidnapped.

“On 26 July 23, troops in conjunction with Nigerian Police raided terrorists’ hideout at Kogon Village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operation resulted in the arrest of four suspected terrorists and the recovery of a motorcycle and 80 livestock.

Troops also arrested a terrorist with a gunshot wound along with three of his associates at Funtua General Hospital in Funtua Local Government Area of the same state.”

The Defence spokesperson said troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH also operating in North West killed 11 terrorists, arrested 16 terrorist logistic suppliers or collaborators and rescued two kidnap victims.

On troops operations in the South-South Troops, Buba said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued to sustain the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft.“In the course of operations, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engines, one generator, 2 pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites,” he said.“

Troops also recovered 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine and 5 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and apprehended 15 perpetrators of oil theftOn troops onslaught against the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) the military high command said troops of Operation UDO KA apprehended three gunrunners and rescued nine kidnap victims.

Buba said in the course of operations across the country troops recovered a total number of 37 weapons and 370 ammunition.“Other items include 8 vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones, 925 machetes, 151 machete sharpeners, 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engines, one generator, 2 pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites, 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine and 5 litres of Premium Motor Spirit,” he said.

Credit :The Nation