The Defence Headquarters says its troops rescued more than 169 kidnapped victims in various operations in North East, North Central, North West, South West, South South and South East theatres of operation in three weeks.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at the biweekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the 6 geo-political zones of the Country between the period of 22 December 2022 - 12 January 2023 on Thursday in Abuja.
General Danmadami said, the Troop of Operation HADIN KAI between 23 and 30 December 2022, troops on fighting patrols, ambushed Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists at different locations within the theatre of operation. During the encounter with the terrorists at Kwatara village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, following the fire fight troops neutralized 5 terrorists while their admin leader at Guduf identified as Umate Usman was captured with gunshot wounds.
Troops equally neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 18 terrorists as well as 21 Terrorist logistics suppliers, 2 terrorist foreign informants and 5 kidnappers. Troops also had a meeting engagement with terrorist close to their deployment at Ngoshe in Gwoza Local Government Area. During the engagement troops neutralized 5 terrorists while other fled. Troops recovered arms and ammunition.
General Danmadami said on 2 January 2023 acting on credible information and raided Major Ali village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, during the operations, the abductors fled on sighting the troops, consequently, troops rescued 35 kidnapped civilians comprising of 7 adult males, 12 adult females and 16 children.
"Troops also rescued 47 abducted civilians while a total of 377 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families, comprising of 52 adult males, 126 adult females and 199 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatres of operations. All recovered items, apprehended criminals, rescued civilians were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
"In North Central, Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in conjunction with Department of State Services operative arrested a notorious gun runner along Kwankonka-Zaria road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. Equally, on 1 January 2023 troop responded to distress call on the activities of criminals around Naraguta in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State and arrested 4 suspects with 2 locally made pistols.
"Also on 31 December 22 troops conducted a follow-up operation following the arrest of a terrorist on 29 December 22 at Kawuri forest in Bwari Area Council of the FCT and on 5 Jaunary 2023, troops acted on credible information and arrested a notorious kidnapper, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim who was on the wanted list of troops at Kara market, Bukuru in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State with the sum of Five Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N524,650.00). It was confirmed that the suspect was responsible for series of kidnapping in Plateau, Toro in Bauchi and Southern part of Kaduna State.
"Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops troops also neutralized 2 criminals, arrested 22 criminals and rescued 8 kidnapped civilians. All recovered items, apprehended criminals and rescued civilians have been handed over to appropriate authority for further action.
"In North West, the land and air component of Operation HADIN DAJI between 7 and 8 January 2023 troops conducted dawn attack at terrorists crossing points in Sunke and Gado forest in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. In these operations troops neutralized 10 terrorists, recovered of arms and troops apprehended a terrorists collaborator at Madachi in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State at a check point with sum of One Million Five Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira (N1,590,000).
"The suspect revealed that he was sent by one Nasiru, a notorious terrorist on the wanted list of security agents, responsible for the killing of several locals in Birni Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Also, troops made contact with terrorists at Doka village in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Following the fire fight, troops neutralized 1 terrorist while other fled. Troops also rescued 11 kidnapped victims, earlier abducted by the terrorists.
"Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in the North West Zone neutralized 25 terrorists, arrested 19 terrorist and rescued 68 civilians. All recovered items, apprehended suspects and rescued civilians have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
"Also, between 27 and 31 December 2022, the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted series of air interdiction operation, well planned and coordinated air interdiction operation was carried out at identified notorious and wanted terrorist kingpin, Dankarami hideout along Kaura Namoda road in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Following the airstrike, feedback revealed that several of his foot soldiers were eliminated while Dankarami himself escaped with serious injuries.
"In South South, Troops in Joint Task Force, operation DELTA SAFE in the South South Zone within the weeks in focus troops discovered as destroyed several illegal refining sites, 1,075 cooking ovens, 343 storage tanks, 154 dugout pits and 28 wooden boats. Troops also recovered 2 barge, 7 tankers, 56 cars, 12 pumping machines, 1 outboard engine, 1 speedboat, 1 tug boat, 7 motorcycles and 1 tricycle.
"Additionally, troops equally recovered 854,500 litres of crude oil, 1,055,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine, 1 AK47 rifle while 19 suspected economic saboteurs were also arrested. All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action. It is worth mentoring that the sum of Eight Hundred and Ten Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand Naira (810,957,475.00) only were denied oil thieves.
"Equally, the air component of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted air interdiction operation over Okomabio, identified as illegal refining site which was observed to be active with white and blue coloured makeshift tents. Consequently, the location was targeted and bombarded with several illegal refining equipment destroyed thereby deterring oil thieves from operating within the Niger Delta region of the country.
"In South East, Troops and other security agents have sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the South East zone of the Country. On 25 December 2022, troops in conjunction with other security agents raided a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra camp at Obowo and Aboh Mbiase Local Government Area in Imo State, however, the criminals fled on sighting the troops.
2Furthermore, on 31 December 2022, troops had and encounter with the Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals at their checkpoint along Owerri Orlu road, troops neutralized 5 of criminals. Also, on the same day, troops acted on credible information on the convergence of Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals and raided a hotel along Okigwe-Umahia in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State and arrested 16 suspected criminals. Troops searched the general area and recovered 2 locally made pump action guns, 2 locally made pistol, 1 brownie pistol, 2 MK2 magazines and other sundry items.
"Troops also neutralized 7 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals and arrested 6. All recovered items and apprehended suspects were handed over to the relevant authority for further action", he said.
General Danmadami said, the military high command commendations on troops efforts in the various theatres of operations across the nation. The media community is also acknowledged for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in our quest to restore peace and security to our dear Country.
He thanked Nigerians for the support given to the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the conduct of our various operations across the country, while also urging them to continue to provide prompt and creditable information on the activities of terrorists and other criminal elements, in their respective areas.