By Olayemi Esan
Following the heavy operational activities of the troops of Operation Hadin Kai and Hadarin Daji some Boko Haram /ISWAP Terrorists’ wives and children surrendered while residents of Magami District in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State held a peaceful rally in appreciation of military operations.
Acting Director Defence Media Operation Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko made this revelation at the Defence Headquarters Abuja while giving cumulative and summarized presentation updates of the activities of the Armed Forces in all its operations across the Country between 2 and 15 July 2021.
At the North West in Zamfara to be precise, residents of Magami District in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State held a peaceful rally in appreciation of military operations that have ensured relative peace in their environment on 3 July 2021.
The rally, according to the residents, as a result of the locals been able to access their farmlands without harassment or attacks by bandits.
He said troops of Operation HADIN KAI contacted and engaged some criminal elements with superior firepower and forced the terrorists to flee in disarray. AK-47 rifles, RPG guns, and bags of assorted rounds of ammunition as well as other equipment, gun trucks, and vehicles were recovered
Onyeuko added that NAF Mi-35 helicopter engaged and destroyed terrorists in 3 Gun trucks with most of its occupants who attacked innocent civilians crossing Damaturu – Maiduguri road in 3 Gun trucks, other fleeing terrorists were neutralized by the ground troops during mop-up operation and recovered some weapons as well.
He also said Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted both Land and Air operations simultaneously, recovered several livestock as well as arms and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, locally made pistols, dane guns and several rounds of 7.62mm ammunition at different locations in Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, and the Kaduna States within the period.
"These include ambush operations against armed bandits’ at Galadi village in Zamfara State as well as stop and search operations along Isa – Shinkafi Road in Zamfara State; Sheme - Ruwan Godiya Road and Gurbin Baure, border between Katsina and Zamfara States.
The Air Component of Op Hadarin Daji despatched its NAF Platforms and engaged the bandits in a precision bombardment. Several armed bandits, motorcycles, camps, and other equipment were destroyed. This dealt a serious setback to their criminal activities in the area.
Onyeuko also noted that Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN carried out raid operations on drug peddlers’ and cultists’ hideouts at Forbur Village in Jos East LGA and Shen Village in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Several of the drug peddlers and cultists terrorizing the areas were arrested along with large quantities of cannabis sativa and other illicit drugs.
Troops also on the non-kinetic aspect held peace and security meetings with community heads, youth leaders, and other critical stakeholders in different locations, aimed at tackling the security challenges in the general areas. The meetings were held at Lamingo Area Council in Barkin Ladi LGA; Headquarters Jos South LGA and in the Hakimi Palace at Langai, Mangu LGA, all in Plateau State. Others were at the Headquarters Sect 5 in Bokkos LGA; Jos South Local Government Council Secretariat at Bukuru in Riyom Local Government Council Secretariat and the Emir Palace in Wase LGA, Plateau State.
DHQ spokesperson added that troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE on 2 and 3 July rescued victims of kidnapping and arrested armed robbers’ informant along Kente – Chinkai Road in Wukari LGA of Taraba State and along Katsina-Ala – Tukum Road, some perpetrated by the Azonto’s militia group.
He added that they also carried out non-kinetic engagements in form of security and peace meetings with critical stakeholders at Lufu Joro Community Primary School, Tukum and Udege Development Area in Nasarawa LGA, and youths of both the Tivs of Katsina-Ala LGA and Fulanis of Takum LGA of Benue and Taraba States.
"Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH/THUNDER STRIKE intercepted a trailer loaded with railway clips and tracks vandalized from Wasa Village in Sanga LGA and apprehended Abdullahi Bello, Ibrahim Jafar and Mohammed Yakubu in the process and handed them over to appropriate prosecuting agency for further necessary action.
The troops also repelled armed bandits’ attack at Kakau in Chikun LGA and rescued some victims along Jiginda Kyayya – Fanock Bedde Road in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State.
DHQ Spokesperson added troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered series of anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal bunkering and anti-illegal oil refining, as well as anti-smuggling and anti-militancy operations, were conducted, at Egelebie – Jumbo Area in Rivers State, where an illegal refining site was deactivated and several metal storage tanks laden with large quantities of stolen crude oil.
Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko added that also at Port Harcourt Tourists’ Beach, Borokiri in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where troops intercepted and arrested some smugglers along with several trucks, hoses, and pumps used in moving illegally refined oil products.
Also at Port Harcourt Tourists’ Beach, Borokiri in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where troops intercepted and arrested some smugglers along with several trucks, hoses, and pumps used in moving illegally refined oil products. Similarly, troops recovered large quantity of illegally refined DPK products in a compound at Macoba area in Rivers State.
Onyeuko noted that troops of Operation AWATSE discovered and impounded large quantities of PMS and other petroleum products in sacks as well as in 50 liters jerry cans at Ogogoro Village and Ashipa Beach along Badagry – Seme Shoreline in Badagry West LGA of Lagos State as well as at Igbokoda area in Ondo State.
"We have also intensified intelligence surveillance reconnaissance operations in all theatres of operations and main criminals’ logistics supply routes to frustrate movement of arms and ammunition as well as other unlawful items to criminal elements using various NAF platforms.
"The NAF also dominated the airspace within all theatres and provided close air support for ground troops during their operations.
"The Military High Command also lauds the efforts of the troops for their resilience and unrelenting commitment and further encourages the general public to support our efforts by providing credible and timely information that will facilitate our proactive engagements", Onyeuko said.
