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| Coordinator, Defence Media Operations; Major General John Enenche |
Nigerian troops have neutralized 450 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists while also recovering 10 gun-trucks from the criminals. A total of 66 kidnapped victims were also rescued during the operations. This success was conveyed by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations on 2nd October 2020 during a Press Briefing at the Defence Headquarters. Troops accordingly recorded the feat between 1st July and 30th September 2020.
According to the Coordinator, "in the
North-East zone of the country within the period, 66 kidnapped victims were
rescued by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. Also, a total of 285
rounds of ammunition, as well as 84 assorted rifles, were recovered from the
BHT/ISWAP fighters. Similarly, a total of 450 insurgents/terrorists including commanders
were killed by the troops. Additionally, 10 gun trucks, as well as 38 grenades, were recovered. Also, within the period a total of 53 arrests were made
including high-value targets"
READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BRIEFING BELOW
PRESS
BRIEFING
THIRD
QUARTER SCORECARD ON THE ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA’S OPERATIONS (JULY TO
SEPTEMBER 2020)
1. As you are aware, the Armed Forces of
Nigeria and other security agencies have been involved in different operations
across the country. The efforts and sacrifices of the gallant officers and men
of the Military as well as other security agencies that conducts these
operations has been progressive. It thus behooves on us to keep the public
abreast of our unrelenting and committed efforts in the various theatres of
operation. Hence, the need for this third quarter scorecard, to give the
general public a succinct outlook of our performance between July and September
2020. This would give a better perspective of the cumulative results of the
operational activities and achievements of the Military operating with sister
security agencies in the various theatres of operation, across the geopolitical
zones of the Country.
2. Within the period under review, troops
engaged in a series of land, maritime and air operations, involving both kinetic
and non-kinetic activities across the country in major and subsidiary operations.
The land operations conducted among others across the various theatres of
operation include; clearance, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search
operations as well as artillery bombardments and aggressive patrols. Others were
maritime operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal bunkering, anti-crude
oil theft and anti-pipeline vandalism operations as well as other duties such
as anti-smuggling operations. Furthermore, comprehensive air operations
including air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions,
offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well
as close air support and air cover for ground troops. These operations resulted
in the deletion of several terrorists and bandits, inhibition of activities of
economic saboteurs as well as exposures and obviation of other criminal
activities.
3. In all these efforts, some of our troops paid
the supreme prize. However, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other
security agencies have consistently exhibited gallantry and resilience in the
various operations. Just as evidenced in our press releases and weekly
briefings, during the period, scores of terrorists and bandits have been
neutralized, others incapacitated and their camps destroyed through ground,
maritime and air operations. In addition, several criminal elements, including
high profile members were killed in action while others arrested, sometimes
together with their families as well as informants and gunrunners. Besides,
there are records of scores of them surrendering to troops due to overwhelming superior
firepower. Other feats recorded in the course of our operations were the rescue
of kidnapped victims, repel and forestallment of terrorists attack on civilians
and troops as well as recovery of caches of arms and ammunition, equipment and
vehicles and oodles of livestock. You may also recall that, in the maritime
environment, troops in major and subsidiary operations were able to disrupt
smuggling activities, deactivate illegal refining sites, arrest perpetrators,
seize foreign parboiled rice and recover tons of petroleum products.
4. In the North-West zone of the country,
between 1 July and 30 September 2020, a total of 3,829 livestock, 6,830 rounds
of ammunition and 93 assorted rifles were recovered from the armed bandits by
the gallant troops in the zone. Furthermore, within the period under review, a
total of 91 kidnapped victims were rescued and 312 armed bandits were killed in
action. In the same vein, a total of 391 arrests were made in the zone
including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandit’s collaborators. A
total cash of Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N4,800.000.00) was recovered from
armed bandit’s informants in the zone.
5. Meanwhile, in the North-East zone of the
country within the period, 66 kidnapped victims were rescued by the gallant
troops of operation LAFIYA DOLE. Also, a total of 285 rounds of ammunition as
well as 84 assorted rifles were recovered from the BHT/ISWAP fighters.
Similarly, a total of 450 insurgents/terrorists including commanders were killed
by the troops. Additionally, 10 gun trucks as well as 38 grenades were
recovered. Also, within the period a total of 53 arrests were made including
high value targets.
6. In the North-Central zone of the country,
within the period, troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and THUNDER
STRIKE have achieved appreciable successes. A total of 116 kidnapped victims
were rescued. Furthermore, troops neutralized a total of 107 armed bandits including
militia gang leaders. In the same vein, 84 assorted rifles as well as 385
rounds of ammunition were recovered from armed bandits and other criminal
elements in the zone. Similarly, a total of 1,136 criminals including family
members of the Darul Salam sect were arrested within the period in the
North-Central zone.
7 In the South-South zone, the Armed
Forces of Nigeria working with other security agencies have continued to record
tremendous successes against economic sabotage and other sundry crimes in the
zone. Within the period under review, a cumulative total of Eight Million,
Eight Hundred and Ninety, Three Hundred (8,890,300) litres of stolen
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Thirty Three Thousand Five Hundred (33,500.00)
litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) were impounded by troops of Operation
DELTA SAFE. In the same vein, the gallant troops immobilized a total of 70
illegal refining sites, 66 dug out pits and 134 metal storage tanks within the
period. Troops also, impounded a cumulative total of Twenty Six Thousand Seven
Hundred and Seventy Two (26,772) barrels of stolen crude oil from oil thieves
in the zone. Additionally, a total of Three Hundred and Thirty One, One Hundred
and Seven Thousand (331,107) litres of product suspected to be stolen Premium
Motor Spirit (PMS) was recovered. Troops also impounded 263 drums of stolen PMS
within the period. A total of 18 kidnapped victims were rescued while 46
arrests were made. Furthermore, a total of 2,647 bags of 50 kg foreign parboiled
smuggled rice were impounded and 27 boats engaged in illegal activities were
arrested. Troops also arrested a total of 46 pirates, 11 trucks and recovered
10 rifles and 60 rounds of ammunition, this is in addition to 15 sea pirate
camps that were destroyed.
8. Equally, troops of Operation AWATSE in
the South-West zone have continued with the fight against pipeline vandals and
economic saboteurs with attendant successes. Between 1 July and 30 September
2020, troops of Operation AWATSE have impounded a total of Three Hundred and
Eighty Three Thousand, Six Hundred (383,600) litres of PMS and Ten Thousand
Three Hundred and Forty Five (10,345) barrels of stolen crude oil. Additionally,
a total of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand (150,000) litres of stolen AGO was
recovered within the period. Troops also, recovered a total of 3,594 rounds of
ammunition as well as 14 assorted rifles. Also, within the period, a total of
30 kidnapped victims were rescued, 36 arrests were made and 18 illegal refining
sites were immobilized. In the same vein, a total of 5 boats and 5 trucks
engaged in illegal activities were arrested within the period.
9. In addition to the kinetic operations,
the Armed Forces of Nigeria have carried out non-kinetic operations in form of
Civil Military Cooperation Activities (CIMIC). A total of 81 boreholes were
sunk for host communities across the country. Equally, a total of 14 schools
were renovated. Additionally, 14 clinics and dispensaries were constructed and
donated to host communities as well as renovation of 2 worship centres.
Furthermore, 2 buses were donated to some host communities. Additionally, the
Armed Forces of Nigeria constructed road, installed transformer and solar power
equipment in some host communities. The military also fostered several
stakeholders and reconciliation meetings between hostile communities and
carried out medical outreaches.
10. In summary, the Armed Forces of Nigeria
from 1 July to 30 September 2020 neutralized 869 criminal elements and rescued
321 kidnapped victims across the country. Furthermore, a cumulative total of
Nine Million, Forty Thousand, Three Hundred (9,040,300) litres of stolen AGO and
Thirty Three Thousand Five Hundred (33, 500.00) litres of DPK were recovered. A
total of 1,708 arrests were made as well as recovery of large cache of arms and
ammunition. Also, a cumulative total of Thirty Seven Thousand One Hundred and
Seventeen (37,117) barrels of stolen crude oil was recovered. Additionally, a
cumulative total of Nine Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seven
Thousand (914,707) litres of stolen PMS was recovered.
11. From our operations within the third
quarter of this year, it is obvious that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is winning
the war against the enemies of our great country. Consequently, the Armed
Forces of Nigeria will remain resolute and highly committed to this cause. It
will sustain the offensive and will not relent until peace is restored to every
troubled zone of Nigeria. The general public is also assured of the commitment
of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protect our economic assets. The High Command
of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public for their support
and further solicit their cooperation towards providing credible and timely
information that will facilitate proactive engagements in our operations.
12. The third quarter performance of operations
conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies is a show
of our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect
our great Nation. The gallant troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and
operatives of other security agencies will sustain the tempo against the
enemies of our dear Nation. The Military High Command commends all the gallant
troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in
various operations across the country for their resilience, doggedness and
commitment. Troops are further encouraged to remain resolute and decisive in
securing the country. The general public is thus encouraged to continue to
support the gallant troops by providing credible intelligence to the troops
operating within their localities. Thank
you.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major
General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence
Headquarters
2
October 2020
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