MILLITARY KILL 23 TERRORISTS, ARREST 172 CRIMINALS

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According to the Defence Headquarters on Friday, forces killed no fewer than 253 terrorists and detained 172 during counterterrorism operations last week.

Additionally, the DHQ reported that forces nationwide freed 206 kidnapped citizens.

The Director, Defence Media Operation, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba who disclosed this in a statement stated that the military remained committed to protecting the country.

The statement read, “The armed forces remain steadfast in their role as an element of national power utilised to protect and project the national interest of the nation. Accordingly, ongoing operations across the country are in support of national security interests.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 253 and arrested 172 terrorists. Troops also rescued 206 kidnapped hostages.”

Buba noted that during the operation against oil theft, troops arrested 15 suspects and recovered stolen crude oil worth N1bn.

“Troops also arrested 15 perpetrators of oil theft and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1,073,829,500.00 only. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 22 dugout pits, 37 boats, 70 drums, 4 receivers, 4 reservoirs and 29 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 215 cooking ovens, 13 vehicles, 4 wheelbarrows, one tricycle, one motorcycle, 5 mobile phones, one speedboat, 2 KYD radios, 2 outboard engines and 75 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 1,047,050 litres of stolen crude oil and 205,550 litres of illegally refined AGO. ”

Buba also said troops recovered 251 assorted weapons and 4,113 assorted ammunition.

“The breakdown is as follows: one GPMG, 118 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 47 Dane guns, 6 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated pump action guns, 5 double barrel guns, 4 single barrel guns, 4 locally fabricated pistols, 4 IED, 60mm mortar tube, 2 AK butts, MRAP and one bandolier.

“Others are 2,047 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 942 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 9mm ammo, 342 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 334 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 252 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 110 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball, 299 live cartridges, 32 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 2 KYD radios, 8 vehicles, 41 motorcycles, 27 bicycles, 41 mobile phones and the sum of N74,702,320.00 only amongst other items, ” he said.

The achievement of the military comes a day after the Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru lauded the synergy among the service chiefs.

According to him, the synergy led to the killing of no fewer than 9,300 bandits and terrorists in the last year among others.