WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigerian military has said that it’s troops killed no fewer than 104 bandits in the northwest region in the past one week, while 92 Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters ha so far been killed in the Northeast since June.
Giving its weekly update of military operations in the country, on Thursday in Abuja, the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations (DMO), John Enenche said that three repentant bandits embraced peace and surrendered to the troops with their arms and ammunition, while 367 cows and 184 sheep rustled, were recovered.
He said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji troops killed 58 armed bandits in Katsina and Zamfara States with others escaping with gun shot wounds whithin the period.
According to him, the newly launched subsidiary Operation Sahel Sanity under Operation Hadarin Daji has already recorded significant successes with the neutralization of 46 armed bandits in Yargamji village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State on 7 July 2020.
In the same vein, Enenche said between 2 and 3 June 2020, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole conducted comprehensive precision strikes, to mark the launching of its subsidiary Operation Long Reach II on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest in Borno State, which resulted in the obliteration of BHT structures used as meeting venue at Mainyakare Village on the fringes of Sambisa Forest.
“In the process, several of their fighters were neutralized. More of these criminal elements were also killed and their logistics facilities destroyed in devastating air strikes executed at Mina along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe Axis in the Northern part of Borno State. A total recorded number of 92 enemies of our country were deleted in the North East Zone”, he said.
In the South-South, Enenche said the Maritime Component of Operation Delta Safe impounded 565,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO in Opumami community and Opuedebubor Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State as well Mejikiri, Buguma in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State, while 17 illegal refining sites were destroyed in delta state.
In the North-Central Zone, Enenche said troops of Operations Safe Haven conducted several ambushes, raids, clearance patrols and air operations at various locations within the zone which resulted in appreciable successes.
“Peace is gradually returning to the troubled locations while the confidence of the local populace is being enhanced. Furthermore, farmers are gradually returning to their farms as a result of troops’ patrols in the hinterlands to deny armed herdsmen, rustlers and other criminals, freedom of action”, he said.
“In the South-South zone of the country, the Maritime Component of Operation DELTA SAFE specifically, Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA and PATHFINDER impounded 565,000 litres of suspected illegally refined AGO. These significant feats were recorded in Opumami community and Opuedebubor Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State as well Mejikiri, Buguma in Asari Toru LGA of Rivers State.
“Similarly, troops of Sector 1 Operation DELTA SAFE in conjunction with Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS have deactivated all Illegal Refining Sites (IRS) identified within Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) pipeline general area. During the operations, a total of 17 IRS were deactivated at Agor-Illa Warri southwest LGA while 30,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of stolen crude oil were impounded.”
In another development, on 2 Jul 20, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS was said to have taken custody of TUG GULF EAGLE with 10 crew from Nigerian Navy Ship BOMADI.
The vessel was arrested by Nigerian Navy Ship BOMADI off Ramos River Entrance for operating without her Automatic Identification System.”
Enenche explained that at the time of arrest, the vessel had 125,000 litres of AGO. The vessel was subsequently moved to NNS DELTA for further investigation. The Armed Forces of Nigeria in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and ridding the country against economic saboteurs will intensify offensive against economic sabotage, particularly in the Southern Zones of the country.
