In continuation of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the country, the Nigerian military has neutralised 39 terrorists, arrested 157 others, while 109 kidnapped hostages were also rescued.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while giving report on the ongoing military operational activities by the Armed Forces of Nigeria as of 31 August 2023 at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across the country remain critical to the armed forces’ efforts to achieve peace and ensure that violent extremist groups do not find safe haven in the country.
Buba noted that the focus of the military is to conduct its operations in support of national security interests.
He stated: “During the week leading to 31 August 2023, the military neutralized 39 terrorists and arrested 157 terrorists, 16 perpetrators of oil theft.
“Troops also rescued 109 kidnapped hostages and denied oil theft of the sum of Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Million Eight Hundred and Sixty-Three Thousand Naira (N765,863,000.00) only.”
Buba added that troops also recovered 55 assorted weapons and 96 assorted ammunition.
He said items recovered included: 12 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, one HK21 gun, one FN rifle loaded with 5 rounds of NATO ammo, two Dane guns, three fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, 3 locally made pistols, 11 AK47 magazines, 71 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 22 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 2 rounds of 9mm ammo.
Other items recovered were; One cartridge, one bandolier, 7 rounds 7.62mm special empty cases, 24 motorcycles, 13 mobile phones, 10 bicycles and the sum N881,700
Buba noted that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites.
He noted that the troops also recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.
He assured that the military will continue to pursue aggressive military operations against violent extremist groups seeking to undermine the security of the country and conduct violence against the people.