The Nigerian Armed Forces high command has said its troops on the frontline neutralized no fewer than 36 terrorists and rescued 140 kidnapped hostages in two weeks.
Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba noted that the military has no greater priority than to restore normalcy and put an end to security challenges across the country.
According to Buba, the men and women of the military have answered a call to duty to fight the perpetrators of these evil to submission.
“We are in a good fight, and must flush them out from amongst us. During the week and as at 3 August 2023, the military neutralized 36 terrorists, arrested 137 gunmen, 3 gunrunners, 2 kidnappers, 6 collaborators, 15 perpetrators of oil theft and recovered the sum of N3,177,650.00 as well as rescued 140 kidnapped hostages.
“In the course of operations across the country troops recovered a total number of 37 weapons and 370 ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 16 Ak47 rifles, 6 pump action guns, 6 dane guns, 3 fabricated rifles, 2 locally made pistol, 199 rounds of 7.62mm special, 6 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 9 AK47 magazines and 2 G3 magazines, 8 vehicles, 45 motorcycles, 32 mobile phones, 925 machetes, 151 machete sharpeners.
“Others include: 61 dugout pits, 32 wooden boats, 87 storage tanks, one speedboat, 32 cooking ovens, 3 outboard engine, one generator, 2 pumping machines, 36 illegal refining sites, 310,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 14,675 litres Automotive Gas Oil, 49,000 Dual Purpose Kerosine and 5 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.”