By Mariam Sanni
Troops will sustain onslaught against terrorists and bandits throughout the farming season and beyond to allow farmers within the conflict zones carry out farming activities unhindered, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has said.
The military high command gave the assurance through the Director of Operations, Major-General Markus Kangye during a news briefing on Friday.
Major-General Kangye stated that troops have continued to respond to distress calls about terrorist activities, neutralising and arresting several terrorists, thereby ensuring a safe environment for citizens.
He said: “During the month under review, troops eliminated some key terrorist commanders during firefights, as well as through air bombardment. They also arrested terrorists, kidnappers and other criminals.
“Our gallant troops have optimally sustained the renewed operational strategy that made farmers within the crisis areas to carry out farming activities.
“This effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.”
According to the spokesman, several terrorists were nuetralised by troops in Mafa, Bama, Damboa, Gwoza, Kukawa, Jere, Askira-Uba, and Mobbar Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Duhu and Gulak in Madagali Local Government Areas of Adamawa State.
General Kangye noted that two suspects were arrested and eight kidnap victims rescued by troops.
He said: “Also, between August 29 and September 1, troops conducted operations in Bama, Biu and Marte Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Madagali, Michika and Damaturu Local Government Areas of Adamawa and Yobe States respectively.
“During the encounters, 13 terrorist collaborators, informants and a gunrunner, as well as a drug peddler were arrested.”
According to Kangye, troops intensified operations in the North West, neutralising several bandits, rescuing kidnap victims and recovering weapons from adversaries.
He said troops operations from August 31 to September 2 in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna States, led to the elimination of several terrorists, arrested 23 others and rescued 24 kidnap victims.
Kangye said: “During the week, troops of OP ENDURING PEACE responded to several distress calls about terrorist activities in some sectors. For instance, within the period, they conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists activities in Mangu, Jos North, Riyom, QuaÁn Pan, Barki Ladi, Jos East and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State, as well as Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
During the cross-fire, they killed some of the terrorists, arrested six criminals and rescued two kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
“In another development, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper while withdrawing N3 million from a Point of Sale, PoS, vendor in Bassa Local Government Area on August 30.”
In one month alone, the spokesman said many insurgents have been killed, 85 suspects arrested and 66 victims rescued.
Besides, he added that troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth N545,872,819 in August.
Kangye said troops recovered 619,236 litres of stolen crude oil, 106,147 litres of illegally refined diesel, 5,785 litres of kerosene and 2,650 litres of petrol.
He said: “They also destroyed 97 illegal refining sites and over 488 pieces of equipment, including storage tanks, boats, dugout pits and cooking ovens.”
General Kangye said 17 suspects were apprehended across Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States with arms, ammunition, explosives and N1.7 million cash recovered from them.
Also yesterday, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, said its men killed more than 15 terror-suspects in precision airstrikes on a newly identified hideout west of Zuwa in Sambisa general area of Borno State.
