The Defence Headquarters has announced that the military has made significant operational adjustments to prioritize the protection of farmers, ensuring a successful farming season during the rainy period. This strategic move aims to safeguard agricultural activities, which are crucial for the nation’s food security and economic stability.
Updates from Defence Media Operations
On Friday, in Abuja, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, provided updates on the ongoing operations of the armed forces. He emphasized the military’s commitment to enhancing security measures to protect farmers and other civilians from terrorist threats.
Intensified Intelligence Collection
Maj.-Gen. Buba highlighted that the armed forces have intensified their intelligence collection efforts. These efforts are specifically targeted at identifying and locating terrorists, with the goal of striking them in their hideouts and hibernation spots. The primary aim is to eliminate these threats and dismantle the infrastructure that supports their activities.
Significant Firepower Deployment
According to Buba, the troops will continue to employ significant firepower to neutralize terrorists and disrupt their activities across the country. This approach is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the war against terrorism is won decisively. “Winning the war against the terrorists is non-negotiable,” he stated, underscoring the military’s unwavering resolve.
Recent Operational Achievements
Maj.-Gen. Buba provided detailed statistics on the recent achievements of the armed forces in various operations across the country. These operations have yielded significant results in terms of neutralizing terrorists, apprehending suspects, and rescuing kidnapped hostages.
Nationwide Operations
In the past week alone, the troops have neutralized 220 terrorists, apprehended 395 suspects, and rescued 202 kidnapped hostages. These operations have also led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition. Specifically, the troops recovered 432 assorted weapons and 9,004 assorted rounds of ammunition. The recovered weapons include three PKT guns, one G3 rifle, 83 AK47 rifles, and 18 locally fabricated guns. Additionally, 16 Dane guns, 14 RPG bombs, one RPG launcher, two tear gas launchers, 234 smoke grenades, and one bandolier were also seized.
Detailed Ammunition Recovery
The recovered ammunition includes 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. These recoveries significantly weaken the operational capabilities of the terrorists and contribute to the overall security of the nation.
Regional Operations
Maj.-Gen. Buba also provided updates on the specific operations conducted in different regions of the country, highlighting the successes achieved in each area.
Northeast Operations
In the northeast, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai have been particularly effective. They neutralized 83 terrorists, arrested 98 suspects, and rescued 61 kidnapped hostages. The operations in this region also led to the recovery of assorted arms, further crippling the terrorists’ ability to carry out attacks.
North Central Operations
In the North Central region, the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke have made significant strides. They neutralized 37 insurgents, arrested 102 violent extremists, and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages. These operations have been crucial in restoring peace and stability to the region.
North-West Operations
In the North-West, the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch have been relentless in their efforts. They neutralized 78 terrorists, arrested 103 terrorists, and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages. These operations have significantly reduced the threat posed by terrorists in the region.
Niger Delta Operations
In the Niger Delta area, the troops of Operation Delta Safe have been focused on combating illegal oil refining activities. They discovered and destroyed 105 illegal refining sites, which included 51 dugout pits, 38 boats, and 51 storage tanks. The troops also recovered 215 cooking ovens, two speedboats, 44 drums, three tug boats, three barges, four wheelbarrows, one outboard engine, 15 vehicles, three motorcycles, and six mobile phones.
Oil Theft Prevention
Additionally, the troops recovered 1.09 million litres of stolen crude oil, 1.1 million litres of illegally refined AGO, 27,350 litres of DPK, and 150 litres of PMS. These efforts have not only disrupted illegal activities but also denied the oil thieves an estimated sum of N1.8 billion. The troops also arrested 55 perpetrators of oil theft, further curbing the menace in the region.
South-East Operations
In the south-east, the troops of Operation UDO KA have been active in neutralizing threats. They neutralized 22 terrorists, arrested 37 violent extremists, and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages. The operations also led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, enhancing the security of the region.
Conclusion
The military’s operational adjustments and intensified efforts are a testament to their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of farmers and civilians across the country. By prioritizing the protection of farmers during the rainy season, the armed forces are playing a crucial role in supporting the nation’s agricultural sector and overall economic stability. The successes achieved in various operations highlight the effectiveness of the military’s strategies and their unwavering resolve to win the war against terrorism.
