Nigerian soldiers on the frontline in the North East, North West and other trouble areas across the country have eliminated no fewer than 171 terrorists, arresting 327 of them including crude oil thieves in one week.
This dislosure was made by spokesman of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba today.
General Buba noted that the armed forces is actively thwarting and mitigating terrorist threats and activities across the country through ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations.
According to him, significantly, in the NE and NW theatres of operations, troops neutralised several terrorist leaders and commanders.
Adding that in the North Central, troops arrested notorious kidnappers and gun runners.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 171 and arrested 302 persons. Troops also arrested 25 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 134 kidnapped hostages.
“In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Eight Hundred and Forty Six Million Four Hundred and Eighty Thousand Eight Hundred Naira (N846,480,800.00) only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 1,499 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one PKT gun, one G3 rifle, 3 AK49 rifles, 44 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, 18 dane guns, 10 pump action guns, four locally made pistols, 18 AK47 magazines, 2 FN magazines, one smoke grenade and one bandolier.
“Others are: 843 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 506 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ball rimmed, 90 live cartridges, 5 baofeng radios, 11 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, four bicycles, 52 mobile phones, cutlasses and the sum of N126,285.00 only amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 26 dugout pits, 13 boats, 90 drums and 45 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 155 cooking ovens, four speedboats, one pumping machine, seven vehicles and 98 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 799,400 litres of stolen crude oil and 151,150 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“The military will maintain its operational activities across the country to ensure enduring defeat of terror groups in the country. Additionally, troops continue to demonstrate stamina, resolve and strong desire to protect citizens and ensure their safety across the country”. He said.