158 Kidnap Victims Rescued
Few days after many innocent Nigerians lost their lives to serial suicide bombings in Gwoza, Borno State, the military high command has sent 177 terrorists to their graves, arresting 263 of them in one week.
Spokesman of the Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, noted that the military was combating terrorism and other forms of insecurity across the operational theatres in the country.
According to him, their role in the ongoing war was clear, adding that they were increasingly making progress.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 177 and arrested 263 persons. Troops also arrested 41 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 158 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N501,089,400.00 only,” he said.
Buba disclosed that the troops recovered 170 assorted weapons and 4,692 assorted ammunition.
He said: “The breakdown as follows: Six PKT guns, 63 AK47 rifles, three FN rifles, one SMG rifle, 29 locally fabricated gun, 37 dane guns, 20 pump action guns, one short double barrel gun, two double barrel guns, two single barrel guns, one locally made single barrel, six locally fabricated pistols, four bandoliers, RPG bombs, RPG charger, two primed IEDs and materials.
“Others are: 2,100 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,239 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 419 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 212 rounds of 5.56 x 54mm ammo, 722 live cartridges, 13 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 74 AK47 magazines, two FN magazines, six baofeng radios, 17 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 31 mobile phones and the sum of N2,149,700.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 20 dugout pits, 32 boats and 32 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 58 cooking ovens, 17 vehicles, one pumping machine, five mobile phones and 49 illegal refining sites.
Troops recovered 1,007,115 litres of stolen crude oil and 141,664 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“Troops are taking the fight to the terrorists and making significant strides each passing day. Much is being done; however, we are focused on doing much more to address the security situation and safeguard citizens.”