The Defence Headquarters Nigeria has given an update on Nigerian military operations in various theaters of operations across the country.
According to the report, troops of the Nigerian Army, In collaboration with other security agencies across the country, have continued to carry out a variety of kinetic and non-kinetic actions.
Despite a few setbacks in the last two weeks, troops remained focused and motivated in their goal to achieve long-term peace in the country through kinetic and non-kinetic operations that achieved positive outcomes.
Below is an overview of the Nigerian military operations from November 11 to November 25, 2021 as provided by Defence Headquarters Nigeria.
1- Nigerian Military Operations “HADIN KAI”
During the period under consideration, major land and air operations were carried out across the theater by troops of operation Hadin Kai.
The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, successfully obliterated Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Baga near Lake Chad on November 12, 2021.
This was accomplished after solid intelligence and diligent overhead surveillance showed the gathering of several major terrorist members and combatants who arrived at the location aboard multiple boats. As a result, the theater commander dispatched the Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to strike the position in turns, resulting in the neutralization of scores of their key members and insurgent fighters.
Similarly, on November 13, 2021, our troops repelled a terrorist onslaught on a military base at Askira Uba Local government area in Borno State with a concerted land and air attack.
Over 50 terrorists were neutralized during the counter-offensive operation, and numerous military hardwares, including gun trucks and other weaponry, were destroyed. During the battle, their fighting vehicles, as well as vast stockpiles of weaponry and ammunition, were recovered. Sadly, some of our soldiers paid the ultimate price.
In a related news, troops in Baga town apprehended Mr Haladu Saleh, a dreaded terrorist who has been on the security forces’ watch list since 2018. Troops also intercepted and detained Boko Haram logistics supplies along the Bukarti – Yusufari road and the Maimalari Checkpoint along the Biu – Damboa road.
Furthermore, following reliable intelligence on terrorist activities in Karawar village, Nigerian forces invaded their enclave in the area, recovering arms and ammunition as well as drugs. Troops also arrested two drug peddlers, Mr Ezekiel Karson and Galadima Bako, who were in possession of huge quantities of cannabis sativa.
During these Nigerian military operations, a total of 90 terrorists were neutralized, with 21 of them being apprehended. During that time, 98 firearms, including AK-47 rifles, and 2,589 rounds of ammunition were discovered. In addition, 7 kidnapped people were rescued, and a total of 996 BHT elements and their families surrendered to own soldiers in Borno State, including 203 adult males, 302 adult females, and 491 children. All of them were resurrected.
All confiscated materials were handed over to the proper authorities, and rescued people were reunited with their families, while terrorists who were apprehended and those that surrendered were profiled and handed over to the appropriate authorities for future action.
2- Nigerian Military Operations “HADARIN DAJI.”
During the focus period, troops carried out a series of land and air operations in various locations within the area of responsibility of Operation HADARIN DAJI.
Armed bandits and logistics providers, named Alhaji Lawal Auwalu, Ibrahim Tayo, and Alhaji Dahiru Abubakar, were captured in these operations, which took place in Runka and Nasarawa villages in Safana LGA and Kaiga Mallammai village in Katsina State. Another place was Batsari town in Batsari LGA, where troops withstood an armed bandit onslaught, forcing the armed elements to flee in disorder with bullet wounds due to overwhelming firepower.
Several airstrikes were also carried on notorious bandit enclave during the focal period, inflicting substantial deaths on the bandits.
The bombarded enclave was used as a camp by a bandit kingpin, Bello GudaTurji, his subordinate commander, Bello Buza, and other foot soldiers operating in Sokoto and parts of Zamfara State.
The air strikes killed dozens of armed bandits, including their top leaders and foot soldiers. Bandit’s structures, equipment, weapons, and logistic supplies were also destroyed by air strikes.
Over the course of the investigation, a total of 12 criminal elements were apprehended; 118 armed bandits were neutralized; and 5 kidnapped civilians were rescued. Additionally 26 assorted weapons and 194 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered.
As part of a non-kinetic approach to tackling security concerns in the country’s North West Zone, troops attended peace and security discussions with community and youth leaders, as well as other key stakeholders. One of these meetings took place inside Operation HADARIN DAJI’s Force Headquarters. In order to deny bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action in the Zone, troops have increased aircraft patrols over the theater.
3- Nigerian Military Operations “SAFE HAVEN.”
During the period of assessment, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN carried out a wide range of ground and air operations in several places throughout its area of responsibility.
Some of these activities according to Defence Headquarters Nigeria, took place in Plateau State’s Bassa, Bokkos, Jos South, Mangu, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Shendam, and Jos North LGAs. Other places included villages and towns in the Kaduna State LGAs of Jama’a, Kaura, and Zangon Kataf.
During these Nigerian military operations, troops were able to peacefully mediate farmer/herder confrontations and avert a bloodbath between two families over land disputes. Troops also freed some kidnapped citizens and apprehended criminals, including Mr. John Paul, a weapons dealer who operates a small facility that manufactures arms and ammunition.
During this time, troops also neutralized several criminal elements and recovered a number of rifles and ammunition. A total of 6 assorted guns, 13 7.62mm ammunition, many sacks of cannabis sativa, and 200 cattle were recovered, among other things.
During this time, troops also neutralized several criminal elements and recovered a number of rifles and ammunition. A total of 6 assorted guns, 13 7.62mm ammunition, many sacks of cannabis sativa, and 200 cattle were recovered, among other things. Within the same time frame, 38 victims of armed bandit attacks and kidnapping occurrences were rescued, 45 criminal elements were apprehended, and three were neutralized.
4- Nigerian Military Operations “WHIRL STROKE.”
Operation In the North Central Zone, WHIRL STROKE has maintained its operational momentum in both kinetic and non-kinetic missions, yielding considerable results in the period being assessed.
Clearance and raid operations were carried out by troops in various areas throughout the theater of war during the period under consideration.
These areas include; Ahungwa and Vingir villages in Benue State’s Katsina-Ala LGA, Akaaer community in Wukari LGA in Taraba State’s Wukari Council Ward, Ondori community in Doma LGA, Tse-Ikyor community, and Tunga village in Nasarawa State’s Nasarawa LGA.
During the Nigerian military operations, a total of ten AK-47 weapons and 45 rounds of ammunition were discovered. In addition, seven armed bandits were apprehended, five kidnapped victims were rescued, and seven armed bandits were slain during the operations.
In addition, troops organized peace and security talks with community/youth leaders, other vital stakeholders, and security agencies in various areas to discuss methods to address security challenges in Benue and Nasarawa States.
The Nasarawa State Government House in Lafiya, the Headquarters Operation Whirl Stroke, and the Palace of His Royal Highness, the Ter Ukum of Kyado town in Ukum LGA of Benue State hosted some of these sessions.
5- Nigerian Military Operations “DELTA SAFE.”
Nigerian troops of operation DELTA SAFE maintained land, maritime, and air operations in the South – South Zone to contain illegal oil production and thwart the activities of vandals and other economic saboteurs.
Troops identified and deactivated illicit oil refining/bunkering installations, captured several criminals, and collected arms and ammunition, among other things, during these operations in Rivers State LGAs of Egbema, Port Harcourt, Emuoha, Andoni, Onne, Obiakpo, Isiokpo, Akuku-Toru, and Okrika.
Some impressive military successes were reported in the Delta State LGAs of Warri South, Warri South West, Ovwie, Warri North, and Isoko North. Ohaji LGA in Imo, Bakassi LGA in Cross River State, and Ukwa West LGA in Abia State.
A total of 41 illegal refining sites, 33 ovens, 24 cooking pots/boilers, 8 cooling systems, 32 reservoirs, 43 big trench pits, and 93 storage tanks were discovered and the activities in these illegal refineries were halted by troops.
The activities resulted in the recovery of 795,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 60,000 litres of DPK, and 6,395,420 litres of stolen crude.
During the same time period of assessment, 26 criminals were detained for pipeline destruction, piracy, illicit oil bunkering, and armed robbery. During the operations, troops also recovered a total of 27 various weapons and 586 rounds of assorted ammunition.
6- SECESSIONISTS’ ACTIVITIES.
Recently, the activities of IPOB/ESN elements’ in the South East have substantially decreased. However, there were isolated incidences in the Oru-West LGA of Imo State and the Ebonyi LGA of Ebonyi State.
During the period in assessment, gallant troops reacted to distress calls and conducted raids on various IPOB locations. During one of these raids, troops apprehended one Mr Obinna Nwite, one of the IPOB secretaries, and recovered four handguns, three long barrel guns, 18 rounds of different ammunition, and minutes of a meeting book including the names of IPOB members.
The arrested IPOB/ESN militia members, as well as all recovered goods, have been turned over to the relevant prosecutors for further investigation.
Curled and modified from a press briefing issued by the Defence Headquarters Nigerian.
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