By Nkechi Eze
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to national security and the welfare of its personnel as troops intensified operations across all theatres, recording significant breakthroughs in the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other forms of criminality. Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in a statement on Thursday, said troops have demonstrated remarkable courage and professionalism in ongoing operations while benefiting immensely from the cooperation of local communities, which has greatly enhanced intelligence-gathering efforts. He reported that the offensives led to the elimination of several terrorists and their leaders, the destruction of insurgent camps, the rescue of kidnapped victims and the recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition.
According to him, troops recovered a wide cache of weapons including automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns, locally fabricated firearms, improvised explosive devices, live cartridges and assorted ammunition. He added that renewed operational strategies have enabled farmers within crisis-prone areas to return to their fields, assuring that such measures would be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.
In the North East, troops of Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai maintained aggressive momentum against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists. Working with the Air Component, Hybrid forces and local stakeholders, troops conducted simultaneous operations in Bama, Gwoza, Mobbar, Chibok, Monguno and Marte LGAs of Borno State, as well as Hong, Mubi North and Geidam LGAs of Adamawa and Yobe States. These operations resulted in the elimination of scores of terrorists, the arrest of 18 suspected accomplices and the rescue of five kidnapped victims. In one encounter on September 3, troops escorting humanitarian trucks conveying relief materials along Gubio–Damasak Road in Mobbar LGA repelled a terrorist attack, killing many insurgents and seizing their weapons, ammunition and motorcycles. Further raids across Askira Uba, Ngala, Kukawa, Magumeri and Chibok in Borno, and Madagali and Mubi South in Adamawa led to the arrest of 23 collaborators, informants and drug peddlers, with logistics items, illicit drugs, vehicles, motorcycles and improvised explosive device components seized.
In the North West, troops of Operation Fasan Yamma scaled up their offensives in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger and Katsina States, neutralising terrorists in coordinated air and ground assaults. From September 3 to 11, troops eliminated several bandits, arrested 14 others and rescued 28 kidnapped victims. In Kaduna metropolis, joint forces of the military, police and NDLEA stormed identified criminal hideouts, arresting 34 suspects and recovering dangerous weapons, motorcycles and large quantities of illicit drugs. Troops also responded to intelligence on terrorist movements in Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, killing several gunmen, arresting 11 suspects and freeing 19 captives. In a significant breakthrough, troops in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara arrested two suspects in possession of ₦15 million, which investigations revealed was ransom money meant for abducted victims. Between September 3 and 4, further raids in Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi States eliminated more terrorists, with 14 kidnapped victims rescued and arms and ammunition seized.
In the North Central theatre, Operation Enduring Peace recorded steady successes between September 3 and 10 in Plateau and Kaduna States. Troops engaged terrorists in Riyom, Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Jos East, as well as Jema’a, Sanga and Kafanchan, neutralising armed elements, arresting 16 criminals and rescuing five kidnap victims. A wanted extremist, Abdulrahman Bega, was arrested along with four others in Plateau and Kaduna States in a separate operation between September 4 and 6. Similarly, Operation Whirl Stroke troops dominated flashpoints in Benue, Taraba, Kogi and the FCT, eliminating extremists and kidnappers, arresting 44 suspects and rescuing three hostages. Recovered items included arms, ammunition, mobile phones, motorcycles and vehicles.
In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over ₦11.3 million. They intercepted 9,760 litres of stolen crude oil and 1,900 litres of dual purpose kerosene, dismantled three crude oil cooking ovens, eight dugout pits, four boats, four storage tanks and five illegal refining sites. Thirteen oil thieves and criminals were arrested, with weapons and ammunition recovered. In follow-up operations, eight suspected criminals were arrested in Delta and Bayelsa States, while a sea pirates’ hideout in Bonny, Rivers State, was raided, leading to the arrest of armed criminals and recovery of weapons, vehicles and illicit drugs. In a major security breakthrough, two high-profile IPOB/ESN extremists specialising in IED-making, identified as Onyeka Ezechukwu Arthur and Chukwudi Madaka, were arrested in Oshimili South LGA of Delta State on September 4.
In the South East, Operation Udo Ka troops sustained offensive operations that have contributed to what authorities described as a relative peace being enjoyed in the region. Major General Kangye commended the professional conduct of troops and assured residents of continued protection from criminal elements.
In his closing remarks, the Defence Media Operations Director reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security stakeholders would continue to conduct their operations within the law and in adherence to global best practices on human rights. He assured citizens that the military remains focused on defeating terrorism, banditry and other criminalities while urging Nigerians to continue their lawful activities without fear. He also appealed for continued public support through the provision of credible information that would further enhance the success of military operations across the country.
