By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Abuja
Defence authorities Thursday said troops of Operation AWATSE have raided some communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State and arrested 120 suspected drug peddlers.
The troops according to the Defnce authorities recovered one locally fabricated pistol, 10kg of cannabis, five grains of methamphetamine, 3 Kg of tramadol, eight mobile phones, assorted charms amongst other items. “All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authority”, the Defence authorities said.
Speaking during the biweekly briefing on troops’ activities and operational successes being recorded in the various operational theaters within the six geo-political zones of the country in the past two weeks, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami stated “on 27 January 2023, based on credible intelligence, troops conducted search operations to AJ Danpullo transport motor park at Iddo in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State and arrested 1 suspected criminal who was to waybill some arms in his possession.
“Troops recovered from the suspect, 1 hand grenade, 25 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1 roll of wire alongside other items suspected to be used for Improvised Explosive Devices.”
He also said with respect to the South East, “troops and other security agents have sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals in the South East zone of the Country”.
According to him, “In furtherance to this, troops conducted operational activities in villages, forest, towns and cities of Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Imo States geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region”.
In the South South, Danmadami noted, that “troops of operation DELTA SAFE and other Operations in the South South zone of the country have continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region through aggressive and increased tempo in raids and clearance operations as well as patrol amongst other activities”.
Within the past two weeks the Defence spokesman, disclosed that troops discovered and destroyed 40 illegal refining sites, 136 storage facilities, 66 ovens, 39 wooden boats, one generator, 11 vehicles and 2 tricycles.
He also said troops recovered 222,000 litres of suspected crude oil, 83,000 litres of illegal refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene while 53 suspected economic saboteurs were arrested.
Danmadami said troops operations in the North east, North west and North central have recorded tremendous achievements in the fight against terrorism, banditry and criminality.
Assuring that the military will sustain their offensive across the country in order to restore peace and security, Danmadami stated that the achievements were attained by both kinetic and non-kinetic operations.
•DHQ
