The ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations has continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorist across the country with the arrest of notorious terrorist leaders in the North West, South East and neutralisation of 187 and arrest of 262 persons.
Director Defence Media Operaions, Maj General Edward Buba revealed this in a press statement made available to SpyeTV News Abuja to update on activities of troops across the six geopolitical zone of the country, 39 perpetrators of oil theft arrested and 147 kidnapped hostages rescued.
In North West troops arrested a notorious terrorist leader known as Abubakar Bawa Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo. He was arrested in Rumji Village in Illela LGA of Sokoto.
He (Habu Dogo) is a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities.
Similarly, troops in the South East arrested 7 IPOB /ESN terrorists commanders and operatives. The IPOB/ ESN terror operatives arrested include;Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) arrested in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. Others are , Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia arrested in Umuahia South LGA of Abia States.
Additional IPOB operatives arrested are: Mr Ifeanyi Eze , Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. While, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu LGA of Imo State.
General Buba also revealed that troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Two Hundred and Fifty Four Million Nine Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty Naira (N1,254,946,630.00) only.
Furthermore, troops recovered 205 assorted weapons and 5,241 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 2 G3 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 89 AK47 rifles, 22 fabricated rifles, 22 dane guns, 2 FN rifle, 2 pistols, 2 fabricated revolver pistols, 27 locally made pistols, 19 pump action guns, 2 pump action shortgun, one DICON pistol, 8 double barrel guns, one barreta pistol and 32 magazines.
Others are: 1,862 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 131 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 959 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 352 rounds of 9mm ammo, 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 662 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 6 vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 55 mobile phones amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 49 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 72 boats, 21 drums, 30 storage tanks and 98 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 pumping machines, one outboard engine, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 3 vehicles. Troops recovered 1,090,135 litres of stolen crude oil and 873,510 litres of illegally refined AGO.
He also revealed that a total of 19 terrorist comprised of 3 adult males, 6 adult females and 10 children surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI within the theatre of operations.
Troops continue to prevail over the terrorists and are winning the war. The terrorist are left with no choice but to surrender or be killed on the battlefield.