Troops kill, arrest 35 terrorists, bandits, others in one week-DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), said military operations conducted in the last one week has led to the killing and arrests of 35 suspected terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, illegal arms supplier, smugglers,  drug dealers and other criminals elements in the country.

The DHQ, said between October 15 – 21, the military has continued to carry out series of ground and air operations, aggressive clearance, cordon and search, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions and artillery and aerial bombardments on terrorists’ hideouts at different locations in the theatre of operation.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche who made this known at a media briefing, also denied allegations that military personnel killed #ENDSARS protesters at Lekki Tollgate, urging the public to wait for the outcome of investigative panel set up by the Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu before reaching conclusions.  

General Enenche while giving an update on military operations conducted in the last one week in the North-west zone said, “Troops repelled bandits attack at Rawayu village in Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina state on 15 October 2020. In the course of the encounter, 4 armed bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

“In another encounter security operatives in conjunction with vigilantes neutralized one Abubakar Haruna, a suspected arms trafficker and recovered 600 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition along Tsakiya road in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina state.

“Relatedly, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 16 October 2020 arrested a suspected bandit collaborator at Sheme Junction in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. Similarly, still on same 16 October, Forward Operating Base MAGAMI patrol team arrested 2 suspected bandits at Magami market in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara state on their alleged involvement in an attack where one person was killed and 13 others were abducted on 21 September 2020.”

In the North-east, he said land and air components of Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded significant success against the terrorists,

He said, “Troops while on clearance operations encountered Boko Haram/ ISWAP at Sawa village in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno state. During the encounter, 4 terrorists were neutralized while 4 AK47 rifles were recovered by the troops.

“As the Land Component conduct aggressive patrols and dominate the zone, the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE conducted series of air operations with a force package of Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships as part of the activities of its subsidiary Operation WUTAR TABKI. Several air interdiction and surveillance missions were executed, revealing terrorists’ activities in various locations in the North East. This led to the destruction of terrorists’ hideouts and neutralization of scores of their fighters”, he said.

In the South-south zone he said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have sustained the aggressive fight against economic sabotage in the zone with tremendous successes.

“On 16 October 2020, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team discovered and immobilized an illegal refinery containing 321,500 litres of illegally refined oil products at Tuma Creek in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State. Also, on same day, Forward Operating Base Bonny patrol team immobilized an illegal refinery containing 54,000 litres of crude oil at Dabara Creek in Bonny Local Government of the State.

“In another development, troops of Operation SILENT HEAT III have continued to record tremendous successes. Gunboats of Forward Operating Base IBAKA on 17 October 2020 while on routine patrol along Utan Iyata Creek intercepted and arrested a large wooden boat containing 50kg parboiled rice suspected to be smuggled in from the Republic of Cameroon. A total of 1,637 bags  of 50kg parboiled rice were recovered and 2 suspects were arrested. Also, on 20  October 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA gunboats while on routine patrol around Mbo River intercepted and arrested a small sized wooden boat laden with 33 drums of products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit with 2 suspects”.

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