WorldStage Newsonline– With the combination of air strikes and ground offences on terrorists hideouts across the country, Nigerian troops neutralized over 40 terrorists, arrested 191, recovers 72 assorted weapons and 338 assorted ammunition, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who revealed this on Thursday in Abuja, while briefing journalists on the ongoing military operations across the country, said troops also arrested 68 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 80 kidnapped hostages.
He reiterated the determination of the armed forces to end terrorism and insecurity across the country, in order to create a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful duties and activities.
According to him, the troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N408,147,460.00 only.
“The breakdown of recovered weapons and ammunition are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 6 FN rifles, 8 pump action guns, 4 locally fabricated rifle, 19 dane guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, 165 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,085 rounds 7.62mm x 56mm ammo, 5.56mm x 45mm ammo, 84 rounds 12.7mm ammo and 12 live cartridges.
“Others are: one PKM barrel, one locally made bomb, 2 RPG charger, one bandolier, 34 magazines, 10 vehicles, 32 mobile phones, 18 motorcycles, 23 bicycles, 6 boafeng HH radios and the sum of N895,900.00 amongst other items.
He said the Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 23 dugout pits, 30 boats, 99 storage tanks, 2 motorcycles and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered include 135 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 5 pump machines, 2 motorcycles and 68 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 406,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 252,112 litres of illegally refined AGO, 3,158 litres of DPK and 10,800 litres of PMS.
“The goal of ongoing operations is to destroy the terrorist and their cohorts across the country. And, our first priority is the protection of the citizens of this country,” he said.
