The Nigerian Military has killed 99 terrorists and arrested 198 others during its operations of the week, the Defence Headquarters has said.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja, while giving update on the military operations in the country, added that the troops also arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft as well as freeing 139 kidnapped victims.
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He said: “In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Eighteen Million Four Hundred and Eighty-hree Thousand Nine Hundred Naira (N1,018,483,900.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 141 assorted weapons and 1,463 assorted ammunition.
The breakdown are as follows: one GPMG, one GT3 rifle, one assault rifle, 49 AK47 rifles, one Josef magnum pump action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 single barrel guns, 9 locally made pistols, 13 dane guns, one hand grenade, 7 locally made rifles, 3 RPG chargers, 2 locally made hand grenades.
“Others are: 347 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 966 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 58 live cartridges, 50 rounds of empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo, 30 magazines, 27 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, 34 motorcycles and sum of N717,580.00 amongst other items.”
According to Buba, the troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 245 dugout pits, 31 boats, 69 storage tanks, 23 vehicles, 162 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 3 outboard engine, one tricycle and 50 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 578,900 litres of stolen crude oil, 454,330 litres of illegally refined AGO and 10,000 litres of DPK.
“Going by the outcome of ongoing operations across the country. The military is ready, capable and eager to continue its mission of securing the country by the destruction of terrorist, extremist and insurgents.
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“Given that there are several lines of operation in countering insurgency. It is pertinent to state that combat operations against these insurgents, terrorists and extremists remains one line of action. It is for this reason that the armed forces is calling on Nigerians for support, particularly in the area of public opinion. We have to show support for our troops to win this war,” he added.
“The gallant men and women of the armed forces continue to put themselves in harms way to ensure the safety and security of citizens. We have to exhibit patriotism and encourage them in our public discuss.
“The leadership of the armed forces under the Chief of Defence Staff , General CG Musa, is open to workable ideas to improve ongoing operations. Nigeria belongs to us all and therefore victory in this war, is nonnegotiable. Together, we not just win, but we have dominion.”
