By Olayemi Esan
The Defence Headquarter says the overall assessment of the EXERCISE OBANGAME EXPRESS created for regional collaboration through joint operations and to checkmate illegal economic activities on Nigerian coastal water organised by The Nigerian Navy in conjunction with US AFRICOM was adjudged successful as it lived up to it bidding.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko disclosed this to Defence Correspondents on Thursday during the DDMO brief on operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the various theatres of operations in Abuja.
General Onyeuko said, the 12th Edition of Ex OBANGAME EXPRESS held from 11 - 18 March 2022 was designed to create enabling environment and freedom of Navigation in the Gulf of Guinea intercepted a total of 16 vessels, 21 crew members and 5 arrested.
He said, during the Exercise Nigerian Navy patrol vessels intercepted fishing vessels carrying out illegal fishing activities on our coastal waters. The vessels are FV MAGNOLTA and FV JASMIN. Also, MT QUEEN OF PEACE was intercepted with loaded with 1,257 cubic metres of stolen crude oil with 14 crew members on board, while MT HARBOUR SPIRIT was also intercepted for suspected illegal activities and forged documents.
The Air Component of the OPERATION HADARIN DAJI carried out air interdiction in Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna States, neutralized over 27 out of 50 of the terrorists incuding their key Commanders and leaders congregated for a meeting
Prominent among those neutralized include one Mallam Sule who is a brother to major bandit Lalbi Ginshima was a major setback for the group.
Furthermore, another air interdiction was carried out at a terrorist enclave at Magaba in Kaduna State, neutralizing scores of the terrorists while those fleeing were trailed and mopped up by ground troops. 8 Bandits killed, arrested 7 bandits, rescued 56 civilians and recovered 1 AK 47 rifles, 2 generators, 3 MC, 1 motorcycle and 1 pumping machine. All arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
Troops in the theatre of OPERATIONS DELTA SAFE apprehended 70 economic saboteurs associated with pipeline vandalization, destroyed 49 illegal refineries, neutralized one militant, recovered Six Million Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand (6,679,000) litres of illegal refined AGO, Four Million Four Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand (4,436,000) litres of stolen crude oil in Abia, Delta, River, Bayelsa States within 2 weeks.
The troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI recorded success as the air components in this theatre of operation on 15 March 2022 conducted air strikes on terrorist within the Lake Chad Region and Tumbuns Close to Wulgo in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operational achievement include neutralization of 17 terrorists, arrest of 35 terrorists, recovered 34 AK 47, 5 dane gun, 9 locally made guns, 270 rustled cows, 3 motor cycles, AK 74 and 13 bicycles used for logistics movement. while 7000 Islamic State of West Africa Province/Boko Haram Terrorist from different location surrendered to own troops. Troops also rescued 27 civilians. The surrendered terrorists have been profiled, while rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.
Troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN in Plateau and Kaduna States rescued 3 civilians, neutralized 2 bandits and apprehended 19 criminal/bandits. All recovered items, rescued civilians and apprehended criminals were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further actions.
Troops at the frontline of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE in within the last 2 weeks neutralized 10 bandits, arrested 5 bandits, recovered 1 Peugeot Wagon vehicle, some weapons including: double barrel gun, AK47 rifles, 3 magazines, assorted calibers of ammunitions, 11 motorcycles, 3 solar panels, 2 MC, 17 cell phones and dangerous local weapons. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary actions in Nasarawa,Taraba Benue, Katsina States.
The Chief of Defence Staff commends troops in all theatre of operations for the modest feats recorded and enjoins troops to remain professional, vigilant and exhibit utmost caution respect for human rights of citizens in their respective Area of Responsibilities.