By Olayemi Esan
The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Punch/Thunder Strike have tracked and arrested a notorious criminal named Mr Simon Unande, who supplies military uniforms and accoutrements to militia gangs in parts of Benue and Taraba States.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Brig. Gen. Benard Onyeuko, made this known while briefing Defence Correspondents on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the country between 16th and 29th July, 2021.
Gen Onyeuko revealed that the operational engagements of troops also carried out operations at Unguwan Mashaya in Mararaban Gassol, in Gassol LGA of Taraba State and around Sabon Gayan Village in Chikun LGA of Katsina State.
He said, within the period, a total of 2 Dane guns, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 3 motorcycles and 23 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition as well as 16 livestock were recovered during the operations.
The arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for necessary action, while rescued persons have been reunited with their families.
Gen Onyeuko also revealed that Operation Hadarin Daji troops carried out rescue operations within the period at Bakori LGA of Katsina State; Eldabala village in Tangaza LGA and along Lamba Bakura - Dogo Karfe Road in Sokoto State.
He said, No fewer than 14 armed bandits were neutralized. Also, a total of 36 kidnapped victims were rescued within the period and troops assisted one of the victims to safe delivery of a baby during one of the encounters.
"A total of 7 AK-47 rifles, 6 motorcycles, assorted military and police uniforms, 6 vehicles and 4 machetes among other items were recovered within the period".
Defence spokesperson added that total of 24 criminal elements were intercepted and arrested, including 16 bandits’ informants/collaborators and an impostor by name Faisal Saidu who paraded himself as Lance Corporal Saidu Abubakar.
Furthermore, a total of 223 rustled livestock were recovered during the period", he said.
Gen Onyeuko also said troops of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several land and air operations at different locations of the theatre.
"The operations led to the neutralization of 16 BHT/ISWAPs as well as arrest of 29 of them, while 40 civilians were rescued. BHT and their families 5 female Adults and 12 children were arrested at FOB Mayanti and Darajamel on 15 Jul.
" Troops also recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun, 4 AK-47 rifles, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one belt containing 296 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, accessories for making IED among other items.
" In Operation Safe Haven, troops conducted several kinetic and non-kinetic operations concurrently at various locations in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States.
" 76 bandits and 5 armed robbers were neutralized and several others escaped with gunshot wounds, while 12 were arrested within the period.
" A total 12 assorted rifles, a truck load of stolen railway tracks and sleepers were also recovered in the course of the operations. More so, a total of 17 kidnap victims were also rescued from their abductors within the period.
" Raid operations were also conducted on some Sara Suka members’ hideouts and other criminals’ enclaves at Rikkos and Gangare general areas in Jos North LGA; Biembiem village and Dabba Village in Wase LGA of Plateau State.
All arrested criminals and recovered items have been handed-over to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further necessary action, while rescued victims have been reunited with their families.
In a related development, peace and security meetings were also held in various parts of the state with community heads, youth leaders and relevant stake holders.
Gen Onyeuko stated that, Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States were on foot and clearance patrols in various communities, aimed at denying armed bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action and boosting confidence of locals as they go about their daily activities.
"Troops also carried out rescue operations at Uttu village in Toto LGA of Nasarawa and Tsegbaka village in Utenge Council Ward of Benue State, recovered a total of 5 motorcycles, 3 pump actions one locally-made mortar tube, 6 Dane guns, 3 machetes and 62 assorted rounds of ammunition within the period.
"6 kidnappers were arrested and 12 kidnap victims were rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke within the period under review. Troops have continued to dominate the theatre of operations with standing and fighting patrols to deny armed groups freedom of action".
He said, Troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted series of anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-illegal oil refining, anti-smuggling and anti-militancy operations.
During the operations, troops discovered and immobilized illegal refining sites with a total of 24 ovens, 37 storage tanks laden with a total of 120,000 litres of illegally refined Premium Motor Spirit, 80,000 litres of illegally Automotive Gas Oil and 1,100 barrels of stolen crude oil.
Troops also arrested a large wooden boat laden with 22,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine or (Kerosine), five 45HP boat engines and 2 pumping machines.
Troops have remained on high alert and sustained intensive land, maritime and air patrols to provide security for critical maritime infrastructure in the Operation Delta Safe area of responsibility.
Troops of Operation Awaste arrested 3 bunkerers with 8 vehicles containing over 56 jerry cans of stolen Premium Motor Spirit and other oil products. During the operations troops arrested 3 vandals including their spy named Mr Bamidele from Ikotun, Lagos State. Troops have continued to dominate the theatre of operation with land, maritime and air patrols to protect Nigeria’s economic infrastructures in the Zone.
Gen Onyeuko also disclosed that, troops based on credible intelligence conducted a raid operation on a notorious camp of the group at Akpawfu Community in Nkanu East LGA of Enugu State. A combined team of security operatives raided the camp and neutralized some of their members and recovered some arms and ammunition in the process.
In a another development a new ESN hideout at Ihiala in Anambra State used in the production of explosives was discovered and destroyed by the security forces within the period under review.
Troops have continued to maintain vigilance and dominate the Zone with patrols to deter intending criminal activities.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General LEO Irabor has continued consultations with retired senior military officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the various geopolitical zones of the Country, he had a no-holds bared interaction with retired senior officers from the North West Zone in Kaduna.
Furthermore, on 22 July 2021, he took the security parley to the South East which was held at Owerri, Imo State. During both interactions with retired senior officers the CDS assured the people of the Zones of his commitment towards improved security in the Country.
He maintained that the retired senior officers are the most qualified in the matrix of peace and security of the nation. He also noted that having served and now live in the various communities, they know the misperception on the security challenges in the Country.
He encouraged the military veterans to see it as their responsibility to make stakeholders understand what is at stake in the quest for security, peace and unity of our dear Country.
The CDS re-emphasized the dynamic synergy between the Nigerian military and other security agencies to address the security challenges in the Country