The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced that the military has made operational changes to prioritize the safety of farmers, ensuring a successful rainy season for farming nationwide.
Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, shared this update while briefing on the armed forces’ activities in Abuja.
Buba explained that these operations aim to tackle the security issues that have kept farmers from their fields, leading to high food prices in the country.
On Saturday, the Nigerian Army reported that its troops in the North-east, working with Vigilante and Hybrid Forces, killed three terrorists, freed kidnapped hostages, and recovered arms and ammunition in a series of coordinated counter-terrorism efforts.
Additionally, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), praised the media for its support of military operations across the nation, emphasizing the media’s crucial role in these efforts.
Discussing the measures to help farmers return to their fields, Major General Edward Buba, while updating on the armed forces’ operations in Abuja, stated that the military has ramped up intelligence efforts to locate and strike terrorists in their hideouts.
He said the goal is to eliminate terrorists and dismantle the infrastructure supporting their activities.
According to him, troops will continue to use significant firepower to neutralize terrorists and disrupt their operations across the country.
“Winning the war against terrorism is non-negotiable,” he stated.
Buba added that in various operations, troops have neutralized 220 terrorists, arrested 395 suspects, and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages in the past week.
He also mentioned that troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 rounds of ammunition, including three PKT guns, one G-3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles, and 18 locally-made guns.
Other recovered items included 16 dane guns, 14 RPG bombs, one RPG launcher, two tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades, and one bandolier.
Additional items recovered were 5,893 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,064 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 401 rounds of 9mm ammo, 200 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 154 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 195 live cartridges, and 17 magazines.
In the North-east, Buba reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 83 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects, and rescued 61 hostages from kidnappers.
He added that assorted arms were also recovered.
In the North-central region, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralized 37 insurgents, arrested 102 violent extremists, and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages.
In the North-west, Buba said troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralized 78 terrorists, arrested 103 terrorists, and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Nigerian Army reported that its troops in the North-east, in collaboration with Vigilante and Hybrid Forces, killed three terrorists, freed kidnapped hostages, and recovered arms and ammunition.
The army stated that troops executed an ambush operation targeting terrorists hiding around Pulka and Ashagashiya in Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.
The service noted that troops engaged the terrorists, killing one, while others fled, abandoning their belongings.
The troops successfully rescued seven women and nine children from the terrorists. They also recovered one submachine gun (SMG), three bicycles, four blankets, cooking utensils, and other items.
“Similarly, troops conducted an ambush operation in the Komala general area of Borno State. This operation resulted in the neutralization of one terrorist and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with two magazines containing 29 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and 91 belted links of PKT ammunition. Additional items recovered included one SMG, two AK-47 rifles, one SMG magazine, nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and one motorbike.
“In a separate operation in Benue State, troops responded to intelligence reports about terrorists’ movements in Ayati Village, Ukum LGA, launching a swift operation to counteract the terrorists’ activities. The terrorists fled upon sighting the troops, abandoning one AK-47 rifle, one Dane gun, two 83 mm launchers, four locally made launchers, and one rifle magazine.
“The troops also seized 19 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) and five rounds of 5.56 x 45 mm ammunition and other assorted arms,” the statement revealed.
In another successful operation in Kogi State, troops responded to information about a planned ransom payment to kidnappers. Coordinating with vigilantes and local hunters, the troops engaged the kidnappers at the planned exchange point in Okunran Okoloke General Area.
During the encounter, one kidnapper was killed, and an AK-47 rifle with a magazine containing 15 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition and one motorcycle were recovered.
The Nigerian Army concluded that these modest but significant operational successes are indicative of troops’ resilience and dedication in ensuring that they mitigate security challenges across the country.
Also, the CDS, General Musa, while receiving in audience the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama and his management team, in his office at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, applauded the FRCN for their consistency despite all odds, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), was working towards a better Nigeria.
