Troops deployed for counter-terrorism operations killed no fewer than 181 terrorists in the last week.
Additionally, they arrested 203 suspects, including 50 alleged oil thieves, and rescued 161 kidnapped victims during the same period.
Among those arrested, according to a statement on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, was a notorious gunrunner identified as Mohammed Musa, also known as Mamman.
He said, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 181 terrorists and arrested 203 persons. Troops also arrested 50 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 161 kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, several notorious kidnappers and a notorious gunrunner identified as Mohammed Musa (aka Mamman) were arrested in Plateau State, among others. All efforts are aimed at degrading terrorists wherever they are hibernating or hiding.”
Buba also revealed that crude oil worth N728 million was recovered.
He said, “In the South-South, troops denied oil thieves an estimated sum of N728,297,650.00.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 10 dugout pits, 38 boats, 44 storage tanks, and 47 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include six speedboats, three receivers, 48 drums, three motorcycles, one mobile phone, and 12 vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 765,680 litres of stolen crude oil and 86,725 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
Buba stated that troops also recovered 228 assorted weapons and 6,749 assorted rounds of ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: four GPMGs, three G3 rifles, 85 AK-47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 36 Dane guns, 12 FN rifles, three fabricated revolver pistols, 24 locally made pistols, 16 pump-action guns, two single-barrel guns, one Beretta pistol, four hand grenades, three IEDs, and 63 magazines.
“Others include 2,891 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1,354 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 586 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammunition, 821 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 409 rounds of 7.62mm PKT ammunition, 32 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm PKT ammunition, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 618 live cartridges, 1,146 assorted empty cases of ammunition, three bandoliers, four Baofeng radios, 15 vehicles, 33 motorcycles, 42 mobile phones, and the sum of N577,800.00, among other items,” he added.
He, however, assured all that troops would continue to act with tremendous force to ensure that terrorists and their cohorts are completely destroyed.
“Troops will also continue to create an atmosphere in which citizens live in peace and are safe from acts of terror,” Buba added.
