Troops eliminate 23 terrorists, nab 22 suspected oil thieves, 109 criminals in one week, says spokesman Buba

The Nigerian military has eliminated 23 terrorists, 22 suspected oil thieves and about 109 criminals under one week as troops in the various theatres of operation continue the counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations across the country.

The Defence high command said the operations being conducted by the troops have continued to produce results.

The spokesman of the Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, said on Friday in a statement that  “though, the men and women of the armed forces are fighting and dying for the country every day; they have made great strides”.

Buba assures, “The military will continue the momentum of its operations by mounting pressure on groups seeking to undermine the security of citizens and the nation”.

On the update on the operations across the six geopolitical zones as at August 25 2023, Buba said that, “the military neutralized 23 terrorists, arrested 109 criminals, 5 kidnappers, one informant, 22 suspected oil thefts and rescued 41 kidnapped hostages”.              He continues,

“Additionally, 231 terrorist and their families surrendered to troops comprising 25 adult males, 63 adult females and 143 children surrendered.

“Troops recovered a total number of 41 weapons and 300 assorted kinds of ammunition. “Breakdown of arms and ammunition is as follows; 14 AK47 rifle, one AK49 rifle, 2 AK47 rifles loaded with 7.62mm special ammo, one PKT gun, one           LMG, 2 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 3 locally fabricated rifle, 2 dane guns, one pistol, and 2 locally made long barrel guns.

“Additionally, troops recovered are one AK47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 AK47 magazines, one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm                   special, 239 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62 NATO, 44 rounds of PKT, 5 rounds of 9mm ammo and 6 cartridges.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 13 motorcycle, 22 mobile phones, one bicycle, 10 machete, a pair of camouflage. “While, the operations in South South geopolitical zone resulted in the arrest of the following; 682,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 70,950 litres of illegally refined AGO, 23,250 litres of DPK. All amounting to an estimated sum of N414,396.250 denied to the oil thieves.

“The military will relentlessly pursue groups contributing to insecurity and instability in the country”.