Defence Media Operation Spokesperson, Major General John Enenche on Thursday says,the gallant troops operations have progressed satisfactorily as they continue to dominate all zones theatre of operation with aggressive fighting and aerial patrols to deny the criminal elements freedom of action.
Enenche said while feeding questions from Defence correspondents this during a Press briefing in Abuja.
He said, in North East, troops of subsidiary Operation TURA TAKAI BANGO in conjunction with the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have destroyed seven Boko Haram Terrorists/ISWAP terrorists’ gun trucks and killed several number of the terrorists’ sects in an operation
These operations further degraded the capabilities of the terrorists and denied them freedom of action
In addition, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West Zone and other subsidiary operations killed 30 armed bandits while 24 cows and unspecified number of sheep were recovered.
He added that, same day, troops deployed at Maradun received information of reprisal attack by armed bandits at Janbako village in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State, they swiftly mobilized to the area to forestall the reprisal attack, but they were ambushed short of Janbako village where firefight ensued. The gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits and neutralised 5 of them.
Enenche said, two suspected bandits’ collaborators named Mustapha Sani and Murtala Sani were arrested at Dungun Muazu village in Sabuwa LGAof Katsina State.
This occurred when the criminal elements attempted to attack troops’ location at the outskirt of Marte Town of Borno State in which, the combined troops engaged and overwhelmed the terrorists with superior firepower.
After successfully repelling the BHT/ISWAP attack on Marte that led to the destruction of the 7 gun trucks in the combined ground and air operation, the Air Task Force also obliterated additional 6 gun trucks of the terrorists and eliminated scores of them in an attack on 16 January 2021.
These feats were achieved when the Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunships engaged and destroyed the terrorists’ convoy of gun trucks, sighted approaching the Marte axis for reinforcement.
The helicopter gunships also strafed the fleeing criminal elements and scores of them were neutralized.
In the North Central zone, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN on stop and search duty arrested 2 suspects; Messrs Mantau Nabo and Victor Jonathan in Plateau State with one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and one empty magazine concealed in a Tricycle otherwise known as “Keke Napep” and at Mariri arrested one Stephen Yaro, from Kigwanu village in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State with a locally made rifle concealed under his motorcycle seat.
Suspects have been profiled and have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Moreover, Enenche added that troops of Sector 3 deployed at Mararaba Udege in conjunction with troops of 177 Battalion in Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State on 15 January 2021, received information about a suspected kidnapper in a hideout at Hawa Biyu moving to unknown location.
Troops swiftly moved and laid ambush along the route which led to the arrest of the suspect currently undergoing investigation.
And in the South South Zone, Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE between 14 to 20 January 2021, conducted anti-Crude Oil Theft and illegal oil bunkering operations as well as other anti-illegal maritime activities.
He said, In the course of their operational activities, 6 illegal refining sites, 11 wooden boats, 52 Gee Pee tanks, 102 metal tanks, 17 dugout pits and 45 ovens were immobilized.
Also, 24 suspects arrested while 14 pumping machines, 2 speed boats and 13 outboard engines were recovered.
Additionally, a total of 9,856.1 barrels of stolen crude oil and 1,339,000 litres of illegally refined AGO as well as 500,000 litres of DPK were recovered.
The military spokeperson also stressed that, on 14 January 2021, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA anti-crude oil team in conjunction with Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS conducted anti illegal bunkering operations.
He said, during the operations, the team de-activated illegally refining site at Egwa Creek, Warri South West LGA.
"The illegally refining site had 7 refining units (ovens), 16 metal storage tanks, 84,000 litres and 105,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined AGO and stolen crude oil respectively".
The Military High Command therefore encourages the troops and personnel of other security agencies to remain unwavering and sustain the tempo in all the Joint Operations Areas.
The armed Forces of Nigeria also reassures the Nigerians of its determination and dedication towards securing the country.