The Military High Command said on Thursday that troops fighting to rid the nation of criminal elements in the last week arrested a total of 163 terrorists’ collaborators, gunmen, gun runners, kidnappers and perpetrators of oil theft while a total cash sum of over N3.177million was recovered from kidnappers.
During the engagements, Nigeriacrime.com learned that troops also neutralized 36 terrorists and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages following several encounters across the theatres of operation.
In a raid operation at Rugan Basiru Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops arrested a dismissed soldier identified as Bashir Abass with a pair of his military uniforms, 2 AK 47 rifles with an investigation showing that one of the recovered AK 47 rifle belonged to the soldier while she was in service, who is said to be operating with two terrorists members that are at large
In the Niger Delta, troops fighting economic saboteurs/oil theft discovered and destroyed 36 illegal refining sites, 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engines, one generator, and 2 pumping machines.
Troops also recovered 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres of automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosene and 5 liters of Premium Motor Spirit.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen. Edward Buba who made this known at a briefing disclosed that in the course of the operations, troops recovered a total number of 37 weapons and 370 ammunition made up of 16 Ak47 rifles, 6 pump action guns, 6 Dane guns, 3 fabricated rifles, 2 locally made pistol, 199 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 9 AK47 magazines and 2 G3 magazines, 8 vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones, 925 machetes, 151 machete sharpeners.
Throwing more light, he said, “In the North East, troops of Hadin Kai neutralized 9 terrorists and arrested 25 including terrorists collaborator/courier and rescued 12 hostages.
“One ISWAP fighter identified as Yahaya Umaru surrendered to troops with one AK 47 rifle and 2 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo. Also, between 26 July and 1 August 2023, a total of 313 terrorists comprising 12 male adults, 138 female adults and 162 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the theatre of operation.
“Troops also conducted a sting operation on a hideout of a notorious criminal gang known as Malians. The gang was hibernating at Jiddari Polo, Gwange, Kaleri, Zannari and Gamboru areas of MMC of Borno State. Troops arrested 14 suspects and recovered dangerous weapons from them.
“Air component of Operation Hadin Kai acquired target of terrorists gathering at a hideout in Wulade. The target was attacked with bombs and rockets, degrading the terrorists.