The high command of the Nigerian military, on Wednesday, revealed that troops deployed to different theatres of operations killed no fewer than 147 terrorists and arrested 381 others in one week, during coordinated operations across all theatres.
The military also disclosed that troops equally nabbed no fewer than 23 perpetrators of oil theft and economic saboteurs, as well as rescued 113 kidnapped hostages.
Director Defence Media Operation Maj Gen Edward Buba, made this disclosure while briefing journalists in Abuja. He also noted that troops in the Nigeria Delta areas, retrieved petroleum products worth nine hundred and forty-three million, one hundred and sixty one thousand, six hundred and eighty Naira (N943,161,680.00) only. Noting that troops discovered and deactivated 84 illegal refining sites, Buba, also added that 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO and 7,500 litres of PMS, were equally recovered.
Buba said that troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 assorted ammunition, adding that the weapons include, “one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 13 dane guns, one FN rifle, one revolver pistol, one locally made pistol, 27 magazines, one AK47 dummy rifle, one AK47 top cover and one baofeng radio, 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 112 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 42 live cartridges, six vehicles, 32 motorcycles and eight mobile phones amongst other items”.
He stated that “troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver and 27 storage tanks, 32 cooking ovens, two outboard engines, two pumping machines, two vehicles, one tricycle, three motorcycles and 84 illegal refining sites”. Buba said that the recently rejigged war against crude oil theft operations in the Niger Delta has begun to yield noticeable increase in the nation’s crude oil production.
“Though we are not yet at where we want to be in terms of daily crude oil production, troops will sustain the renewed vigor and momentum till crude oil production target is achieved and exceeded. Meanwhile, ongoing operations across other parts of the country remain focussed on defeating and killing the enemy wherever they are hiding. Indeed, we are in a better place today, than at any previous time,” he said.
The Director said that the military is constantly assessing its actions, adjusting and amending operations in order to annihilate terrorists across the federation.
“Accordingly, troops are working decisively to kill the terrorist, stop the insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens across the country,” he added.
Ikechukwu Aleke
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