Security: Nigerian troops took out 10,937 terrorists in 2024 – Defence spokesman
Nigerian troops in 2024 put out of business 10,937 terrorists, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, has disclosed.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja recently, Buba added that 16,171 terror militants and their families also surrendered to the Nigerian security agents in that year.
Troops also recovered 8,815 weapons, and 228,004 ammunitions, Buba further said.
On oil theft, the Defence Director disclosed that troops denied oil thieves an estimated sum of more than ₦68.4billion.
Giving a breakdown of successful operations of the military within the period in focus, Buba revealed that troops in the course of their operations also recovered: 4,332 AK47 rifles; 1,244 locally-fabricated guns; 838 Dane guns; 259 pump action guns; 128,496 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitios, and 45,445 rounds of 7.62mm NATO.
Other recoveries, he added, were, 5,103 cartridges, 2,131 assorted arms and 29,176 assorted ammunitions.
According to military mouth piece, in the northeast of the country, troops of Operation Hadin Kai took out 3,151 terrorists, arrested 2,503 suspects and rescued 1,605 kidnap victims within the year in review.
Buba added that in the region also recovered 1,802 AK47 rifles, 446 fabricated rifles; 438 Dane guns; 378 assorted arms; 42,439 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo; 16,336 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 12,429 assorted ammunitions.
In the North-Central, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 1,047 violent extremists, arrested 3,001 crime suspects and rescued 1,782 kidnap hostages, the defence director also revealed.
Besides, Buba said that the troops also recovered 549 AK47 rifles, 321 fabricated guns; 629 assorted arms; 19,577 rounds of 7.62mm special; 2,962 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 4,084 assorted ammunitions. In the North-West, he said that operatives of Operation Hadarin Daji, nixed 2,906 terrorists, arrested 1,826 suspects and rescued 2,616 kidnap victims.
Troops also recovered 1,450 AK47 rifles, 477 fabricated guns; 576 assorted arms; 31,999 rounds of 7.62mm special; 14,960 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 6,564 assorted ammunitions.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, Buba said the troops neutralised 742 terrorists, arrested 1,877 suspects and rescued 595 kidnapped hostages.
He said that the troops equally recovered 364 AK47 rifles, 302 assorted arms; 12,422 rounds of 7.62mm special; 5,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,818 assorted ammunitions.
Buba said that in the South-South, the troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised 78 terrorists, arrested 2,357 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages.
According to him, troops also stopped oil thieves from making away with 56.2million litres of crude oil; 9.7 million litres of AGO; 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 538 assorted weapons; 13,198 assorted ammunitions; destroyed 2,019 wooden boats and 2,612 illegal refining sites,’’ he said.
In the South-East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA tracked and destroyed IPOB/ESN terrorists.
He said that troops arrested some IPOB/ESN terrorists, collaborators; gun runners and informants; as well as neutralised 734 terrorists; arrested 974 suspects and rescued 372 kidnap victims.
Summarising his presentation, Buba remarked, “Importantly, troops on the battlefield are in high spirits, fully committed, devoted and believe in the justness of the cause. On the whole, the war is not for the armed forces alone, but for all citizens. The military, therefore, urges for more citizens’ support.”
