By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters has released a fresh report on the successes recorded on military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other associated security threats, anti Crude oil theft and other economic sabotage across the four geopolitical zones of the country.
The report also revealed other non kinetic operations like the provision of some projects by the troops to some communities of their responsibilities to enhance a civil military relationship,among others.
Giving the breakdown of the activities which covers from 17 – 23 July 2020 in a routine media briefing in Abuja, the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations ,Maj. Gen. John Enenche said, it became necessary to intimate the public on the giant strides recorded by the Nigerian military and other security agencies in its fight against insecurity and the protection of the country’s economic assets.
The breakdown of the report as given by Gen Enenche is presented this according to the four geopolitical zones, including South south, North East, West and Central parts of the country.
In the South South region, he said, the Maritime Component of Operation Delta Safe using Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder patrol team has discovered an illegal refining site around Cawthorne Channel.
“The site had 2 metal reservoirs laden with an estimated 300,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and a large wooden boat containing 3.14 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
“The wooden boat and products were dismantled while the site was deactivated.
“Nigerian Navy PATHFINDER in conjunction with Forward Operating Base BONNY located an illegal refining site at Bille Creek with one tarpaulin and 2 metal reservoirs stored with about 60,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 125.7 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The storage facilities and product were dismantled while the site was deactivated.” he said.
Troops also on 16 July 2020, intercepted 2 large wooden boats laden with about 40,000 litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO stored in polythene bags along Aladja Creek, both the boats and contents were recovered to the base.
Explaining further, the Coordinator also said, on 18 July 2020, Troops of operations CALM WATERS and SWIFT RESPONSE impounded petroleum products as well as arrested boats involved in illegal activities.
He added that, Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS patrol team,had intercepted and dismantled two wooden boats along Madangho creek Warri South West LGA of Delta State and at Jones Creek general area.
Enenche noted that, the one at Madangho creek Warri had unquantified product suspected to be illegally refined AGO, while the other was laden with about 345.94 barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil.
All these tremendous successes recorded against economic saboteurs was within the week under review.
In the North-west zone, Enenche said troops of Operation Hadarin Daji under its subsidiaries of Operation Sahel Sanity in Shimfida village of Jibia LGA of Katsina State neutralized 17 armed bandits, but regretted that about 3 soldiers lost their lives in action.
Troops also arrested about 8 bandits in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara states on 18 July, 2020.
According to Enenche, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji had on 20 July 2020 neutralized several armed bandits in Kagara Forest of Zamfara State.
The operation he said was conducted pursuant to Human Intelligence reports indicating heavy presence of the armed bandits, along with a large number of rustled livestock in a portion of the forest which was confirmed by series of aerial surveillance missions.
Recall that during these aforementioned operations in the zone, troops rescued kidnapped victims, recovered cache of arms, rustled cattle and motorcycles.
Gen. Enenche further explained that in the North-Central zone within the week, troops conducted several ambushes, raids, clearance and air operations at various locations which resulted in appreciable successes.
Notably among them Enenche said on 16 July, 2020, troops of Sectors 2 and 4 of Operation Whirl Stroke, carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Tomayin village in Logo LGA of Benue State.
Enenche noted that the Operation was conducted on the heels of a credible intelligence on the activities of kidnappers in the general area .
During the encounter, troops eliminated one Zwa Ikyegh ,a ring leader of the gang, while others escaped with various degrees of gun shots wounds.
“Troops also rescued 32 kidnapped victims, some of whom had been in captivity for over a month.
“All the rescued kidnapped victims were reunited with their families in different communities in Logo LGA.
“Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 6 locally made rifles, one locally made pistol, one magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, amongst other items while the hideout was also destroyed.”
Meanwhile ,the DHQ has executed several projects in its bid to enhance Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) in Benue and Plataeu states conducted by
Operations Whirl Stroke and Safe Corridor.
He enumerated the projects to include, boreholes in Guma LGA of Benue State, one block of 5 classrooms renovated in Kpasho village and a borehole each at Nkindero village in Irigwe and Gagaule village a Fulani community, all in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.
In the North-East, the Coordinator said, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have continued to sustain the fight against BHT/ISWAP.
According to him, troops have conducted several clearance operations, aggressive patrols and Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as sustained air offensive operations.
This, he said is evidenced in the destruction of BHT/ISWAP camps and elimination of terrorists’ commanders/leaders and other fighters.
“On 15 July 2020, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole launched coordinated air offensives on terrorists’ camp at Ngwuri Gana Village, along Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis in the Northern part of Borno State.
“The massive air strikes led to the destruction of the terrorists’ camp while several terrorists were neutralized.
“Meanwhile, between 17 and 20 June 2020, the Land Component of Operation Lafiya Dole successfully conducted intelligence-based clearance operations that dealt devastating blows on the BHT/ISWAP terrorist elements in some parts of the North East.
“The operations led to the neutralization of 6 BHT members attempting to cross from the Cameroon Border towards Sambisa Axis in Borno State.
“Caches of arms and ammunition and other items were recovered, while several insurgents surrendered.” he said.
Recall that earlier this month 8 BHT ISWAP commanders/leaders were killed by our gallant troops at Damasak.
Enenche also said, troops of Army Super Camp 1 on 20 July 2020,while on routine patrol along Maiduguri-Damboa were attacked by Boko Haram Terrorists.
“However the gallant troops, supported by ATF platforms providing Close Air Support, neutralized several terrorists and destroyed 4 of their gun trucks.” he explained.
The DHQ has therefore assured the Pubic of the Nigerian Military resolve to tackling all the security challenges until normalcy returned in the country.
The Military High Command had equally ommended all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their doggedness and commitment.
Thus, it has encouraged the troops to keep maintain the tempo to get rid of criminal elements in the country.
