The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Thursday said that troops across all theatre of operations killed no fewer than 96 terrorists, apprehended 227 others, uncovered and dismantled 60 illegal refining sites in one week.
The DHQ also averred that troops equally arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 157 kidnapped hostages within the period under review.
A statement by Director Defence Media Operation, Maj Gen Edward Buba disclosed that troops of JTF South South Operation Delta Safe retrieved petroleum products worth seven hundred and twelve million sixty five thousand four hundred and fifty Naira (N712,065,450.00) only.
Buba further revealed that troops recovered 712,535 litres of stolen crude oil, 76,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 71 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition.
According to him “Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 4 dugout pits, 48 boats, 52 drums and 38 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 55 cooking ovens, two speedboats, one tricycle, six mobile phones, six vehicles and 60 illegal refining sites”.
Noting that troops eliminated five IPOB/ ESN terrorist leaders during the week, Buba stated that troops in the North Central operational theatre arrested a notorious terrorist commander identified as Usman Maisaje.
The arrested terrorist commander, he said is a close associate of a wanted high profile terrorist leader known as Kachalla Boka, adding that the arrest has been rewarding in intelligence value as he is cooperating and providing troops with much needed intelligence for further operations.
“The military will not relent on its plan to kill terrorists and destroy the infrastructure that support them. We will increasingly degrade the terrorist military capability and effectiveness through our operations,” he concluded.
Linus Aleke
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