How We Are Battling Criminality In Nigeria-Army

The Nigerian Military says it is on top of its games to nip criminality in the bud in Nigeria.

The Defence Headquarters, (DHQ), which made the disclosure in Abuja, at a press briefing on military operations between June 18 and 30, 2021, said following the actions, criminals have continued to be denied freedom of actions.

Its Acting Director of Defence Media Operations, (DDMO), Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, the DHQ said within the period under review, troops have dealt decisive blows on criminals across the country, killing several of them, arresting others, recovering weapons and other valuables, as well as destroying their operational basis.

He assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not relent in its effort to fight all forms of criminalities until relative peace is returned to the country.

He said:”We will continue to intensify our operational efforts to deny criminals freedom of operation and will remain resolute to take decisive and adequate actions to abate all forms of criminalities and other vices in the country”

He said wthin the period under review, troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies conducted various land, maritime and air operations,adding that these operations yielded attendant successes in the various theatres across the country.

He said troops of operation HADARIN DAJI and other security agencies conducting operations in the North West Zone executed series of land and air operations concurrently between 18 and 30 June 2021.

“These include raid, ambush, cordon and search, rescue and clearance operations. Troops also responded to distress calls within the period. Likewise, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI conducted several air operations such as aerial patrol, Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance and air interdiction missions.

According to him,following credible intelligence report on criminals’ activities, troops simultaneously conducted these operations with zeal and zest in different locations of this theatre of operation.

He said the operations were conducted on bandits and kidnappers’ hideouts as well as against drug peddlers at Gusau – Magami Road in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State;  Makuku in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State; as well as Batsari and Jibia LGAs in Katsina State. Other locations include Unguwar Kade village in Tsafe LGA and Bingi village in Bungudu LGA of Zamfara State.

He also said the operations led to the repelling and arrest of kidnappers and drug peddlers who confessed to supplying illicit drugs to miners as well as other criminal elements as well as the neutralization of some armed bandits; peaceful resolution of farmers/herders’ clashes; recovery of arms and ammunition as well as recovery of rustled livestock.

He said:”The operations also resulted in the rescue of kidnap victims in various locations including a teacher and some students kidnapped at the Federal Government College in Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State as well as arrest and rescue of some trucks of rustled livestocks in different locations of the theatre.Some gunrunners and bandits logistics suppliers, including one Lawali Na Habu was also intercepted with trucks loaded with large quantities of AGO at Tangaza LGA of Sokoto State and one Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, a wanted notorious bandit was also arrested.

“The Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI also conducted series of air operations, provided Close Air Support for ground troops and dominated the air space within the period. These involved Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions and other air patrols as well as air interdiction missions.

“On the whole, troops have continued to dominate the Operation HADARIN DAJI theatre of operations with aggressive fighting and confidence building patrols to reassure citizens of the commitment of AFN to end all of form criminalities in the Zone. Between 18 and 30 June 2021, troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Zone simultaneously conducted several land and air operations. These were clearance operations and aggressive fighting patrols to deny terrorists freedom of movement at different locations. Similarly, troops conducted ambush operations as well as responded to distress calls, repelled BHT elements attacks on troops’ locations and dominated the theatre of operations.

“Equally, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted series of Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance and air interdiction missions to reveal and destroy terrorists’ enclaves as well as their logistic supplies and equipment. Within the period, troops consistently struck BHT/ISWAP strongholds throughout the theatre of operation.Some of the feats were achieved at Bula Village in Yobe State and Banki Town in Borno State on 27 and 28 June 2021 when troops repelled terrorists’ attacks. Troops also conducted offensive deep penetration operations into villages of the Timbuktu Triangle within the period.

“During the offensives, several terrorists were killed and many equipment and weapons were captured. A total    of 73 BHT were killed with 44 AK 47 rifles, 2 PKT, 7 Ant Aircraft guns, 7 gun trucks, several ammunition of different calibre as well as weapon cleaning materials, clothing, blankets, foodstuffs, vehicles, generators, IED materials, religious scripts and other items were recovered in the process.In another development on 27 June, a total of 55 escapees from terrorists’ camps comprising 15 adult males, 12 adult females and 27 children surrendered to own troops at Darajemel in Borno State.

“Another feat was achieved when on 27 June 2021, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, in coordinated multiple airstrikes, destroyed some terrorists’ commander’s strongholds at the Lake Chad axis of Borno State.The air strikes were targeted at various terrorists’ camps in Sabon Tumbu, Jibularam and Kwalaram Towns in the State.

“During the air operations, the spiritual base and training camps of the terrorists in the North East part of Borno State and the fringes of Lake Chad were destroyed by air bombardments.These came on the heels of credible intelligence report which revealed that, some top ISWAP/BHT commanders were holding a meeting at the said locations. Consequently, the Air Component mobilized with force packages of NAF platforms and launched attacks on the locations.

“The activities of troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN between 18 and 30 June 2021 were characterized with both kinetic and non-kinetic operations. Within the period, troops simultaneously conducted series of clearance, ambush and raid operations in different locations of the Zone.Additionally, troops engaged in fighting patrols and responded to distress calls as well as carried out extensive air operations. During the operations, troops had contact and engaged criminal elements in some cases and subdued them with own superior firepower.

“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE between 18 and 30 June 2021, sustained their operational tempo within its area of operation. Within the period, troops engaged in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations ranging from fighting and confidence building patrols, raid, clearance as well as cordon and search operations and responded to distress calls.Troops conducted clearance operations at some armed herdsmen, bandits’ enclaves and kidnappers’ hideouts at Egba Village in Agatu LGA, Tse Ndever in Mbayongo Council Ward and Gborgbor Village in Katsina Ala LGA. Other locations includes; Dyom Village and Saeyongo Village in Utange Council Ward; Katsina Ala and Donto Village in Otukpo LGA of Benue State.

“The operations resulted in the neutralization of scores of armed bandits, gang members and other criminal elements. It also resulted in the recovery of caches of arms and ammunition including several AK-47 and FN rifles, assorted rounds of different calibers of ammunition and rescue of large numbers of rustled livestock.In addition, troops successfully quelled crisis between the Ezza Tribe in Odoke Ulanyi Council Ward in Ado LGA of Benue State and Effium Tribe in Akparata in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.

“Troops of Operations WHIRL PUNCH and THUNDER STRIKE have remained resolute within the period under review. Between 18 and 30 June 2021, troops in conjunction with other security agencies conducted and executed several land and air operations that yielded attendant successes. These included raid, rescue and ambush operations, land and aerial patrols as well response to distress calls.These were executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports on criminal activities in the area. These operations were conducted at Kankomi Village in Kachia LGA, along Jaka Da Rabi-Rugan Wakili Junction in Chikun LGA and Angwan Rukuba Mariri in Lere LGA of Kaduna State as well Kugiya Area of Bukuru in Jos South LGA of Plateau State.

“During the operations, scores of criminal elements including, Mr Rotji Yowel (aka Castro) and Mr Manji Yamani alongside their cohorts as well as some armed herdsmen were arrested. Relatedly, troops swiftly intervened and rescued kidnap victims on various occasions and in the course of the operations, caches of AK-47 rifles, Dane guns and ammunition were recovered and hoards of livestock rescued.

“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE within the period conducted several operations to secure oil pipelines and other critical infrastructures to deny economic saboteurs and prevent security breach. These included sustained anti-crude oil theft, anti-illegal oil bunkering, anti-smuggling and anti-militancy operations. These operations led to the deactivation of illegal oil refining sites and disconnection of illegal oil pipelines.

“Troops also arrested several criminal elements, intercepted and confiscated large quantities of contraband vessels and items as well as recovered weapons and stolen items between 18 and 30 June. These operations were conducted at Sara Creek in Warri South West LGA and Ikpoba Community in Okha LGA of Delta State.

“Operations were also conducted on a compound at Lagos bus stop by Railway Station in Port Harcourt; Jokri, Opuadakiri and Jombosco areas; as well as Asapama Creek and Kaa Community Market in Khana LGA of Rivers State.

“During the operations, several illegal oil refining units with ovens, metal storage tanks, coffer dams and dugout pits were deactivated, while large quantities of illegally refined AGO and stolen crude oil were recovered.

“Troops also arrested kidnappers and other persons along with several trucks laden with large quantities of illegally refined oil products in tanks and nylon sacks. On the whole, troops remained on high alert to effectively respond to threats and deter any form of unpredictable criminal activities in the theatre of operation within the period.

“Operation AWATSE operational activities within the period involved sustained routine patrols to forestall activities of vandals on NNPC pipelines at Gaun, Akute,   Wawa 1 and 2 and Mabgero areas. Additionally, troops carried out standing patrols and raid operations at strategic areas in the Zone including Majidun area, during which one Mr Ibrahim Musa, an ISWAP member was arrested at No 31 Abartura Street in Sango-Ota, Ogun State. Intelligence report revealed that Ibrahim was on a mission to Lagos to acquire certain items for ISWAP’s operations in Maiduguri.

“In another development, own troops acting on intelligence report on ongoing illegal oil bunkering activity at Alimosho NNPC pipeline, arrested one Mr Oyeshola Saheed acting as the illegal bunkerers’ supervisor.

“However, he named one Mr Akanbi as the sponsor and financier of the illegal bunkering activities in the area. Both vehicles and equipment used for their operations were recovered and handed over to appropriate agency for necessary action”, General Onyeuko narrated.

He spoke on other military activities the DDMO saying:”in our non-kinetic engagement within the period under review; it may be recalled that, on 24 June 2021, the Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor met with retired senior military officers from the Zone to discuss ways out of the current security challenges in the country.

“The interaction was part of efforts aimed at tracing root causes of security challenges in the Country and to tap from the wealth of experience and knowledge of the retired officers and other stakeholders.The CDS said that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will leverage the wealth of experience of the retired officers for the betterment of the Region and Nigeria in general.

“He affirmed that the military had been reassessing its operational engagement on regular basis to improve the security of the Country”, the military operations spokesman said.