Troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces have arrested two Cameroonians suspected to be Ambazonian rebels’ informants at a hotel, in Cross River State.
They also killed scores of terrorists in different theatres of operations, arrested many and rescued two Chibok Girls, their children and other abductees.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), General Musa Danmadami, discloses this on Thursday on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, in Abuja, at the bi-weekly press briefing, on troops activities and operational successes in various operational theaters of the six geo-political zones.
He stated that the kinetic and non-kinetic operations covered the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies between the period 22nd September to 6th October, 2022.
He added:”Troops of Operation DAKATAR DA BARA on the 28th September, 2022, arrested two Cameroonians, suspected to be Ambazonian rebels’ informants at a hotel in Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.
“Equally, on 24th September, 2022 troops also conducted a snap road block and arrested a suspected criminal logistics supplier at Amana in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross Rivers State. Items recovered from the suspect include 20 pairs of black boots, 20 pairs of special force uniforms, two mobile phones and the sum of N15,200 only.
He said troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the North East Zone rescued two Chibok girls by name, Yana Pogu and Rejoice Senki on serial 19 and 70 of the abducted Chibok girls lists with their children at Bula Davo village in Bama Local Government Area and Kawur village in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State with 12 others abductees.”
Between 26th September and 3rd October, 2022, he stated that troops arrested a suspected Boko Haram Terrorist and ISWAP ammunition technician at Gorom village in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, with 300 empty cases of ammunition suspected to be used for fabricating 7.62mm specials while six suspected Boko Haram Terrorist and ISWAP informant and collaborators including a foreigner were arrested at different locations.
He said,between 22nd September to 4th October, 2022, troops were said to have conducted ambushes, clearance operations, fighting patrols and cordon and search as well as other operations at different locations in Biu, Damboa, kaga, Kukawa and Gubio Local Government Area all in Borno State.
During the operations 29 Boko Haram terrorist and ISWAP logistic suppliers were arrested.
He said items recovered from Boko Haram, General Danmadami said include, 50 big bags of dry fish, two big sacks of fried meat, 55 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit, one big bag of coal, 13 bags of breads, one bag of salt, one bag of beans, five cartons of detergent, three packs of batteries, 50 leathers of mosquito coil, 10 mobile phones, four vehicles, one bicycle and the a total sum of 2,479,740.00 as well as other sundry items.
Also, “Troops within the period in focus recovered six AK47 rifles, 14 AK47 magazines, one HK gun, one G3 rifle, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special, 285 rustled cattle and gallons of Premium Motor Spirit.
“They also neutralized 19 terrorists, arrested 42 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, rescued three civilians while a total of 418 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists and ISWAP terrorists, who claimed to have lost interest in the ideology of Boko Haram Terrorists surrendered to own troops at different locations with their families comprised of 44 adults males, 135 adult females and 239 children.
“All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist and ISWAP terrorists and their families are being profiled for further action.Furthermore, between 23rd and 28th September, 2022, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI carried out air interdiction operation at identified terrorists enclaves at Kolaram and Bukar Meram both in the Southern Lake Chad region of Borno State. The air strikes resulted in the neutralization of several terrorists with several of their structures destroyed.”
Besides,troops in the North Central Zone of the country have continued to crack down on the activities of criminal elements in their general area of operations.
Accordingly, “On 25th September, 2022, troops of Guards Brigade raided an identified illegal drug peddlers hideout along Koroduma-Asokoro Guzape in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and arrested five suspected drug peddlers, while 11 bags of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa was recovered from the suspects.
“On the 1st October, 2022, Guards Brigade troops also raided Karshi Hill and surrounding villages in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory following intelligence on plans by hoodlums to disrupt the Independence Day Celebration.
“Consequently, troop arrested 64 youths in black attires armed with nine locally made guns. In another development 33 suspected illegal miners were arrested at an illegal minning site at Gwagwalada Area Council.Also, on the 30th September, 2022, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted raid operation at a suspected criminal hideout at Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.
“During the operation troops came in contact with terrorists who engaged own troops in a firefight but were subdued, the encounter led to the neutralization of 2 terrorists while other escaped with gunshot wounds.
“Similarly on the same day, troops responded to a distress call about the activities of a bandit leader identified as full fire and his gang members at Zaki Ibiam and Zamkara in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. During the operation, troops arrested two suspected bandits and recovered one locally fabricated AK47 rifle, one dane gun and two mobile phones.
“Troops also arrested one suspected bandit in his hideout, while a motorcycle and one round of 7.62mm special was recovered from the suspect. Equally, troops raided suspected terrorists hideout in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during the encounter troops neutralized two terrorists and recovered one AK47 rifle, three dane guns, one motorcycle, three mobile phones while four terrorists were also arrested.”
Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN according to Danmadami on 23rd September, 2022 raided suspected drug dealers hideout at Mangu in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The drug dealer was said to have been arrested with large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis. Also on 26th September, troops arrested four suspected armed robbers at Shaka village in Bassa Local Government Area and recovered armored cables suspected to have stolen from a government property in the general area.
“Equally, on 28th September, 2022, troops in conjunction with the operatives of NSCDC arrested a notorious kidnapper and armed robber known as Anas Ayaro 22years who has been on the wanted list of security agencies along Layi in Bauchi State.The suspect is said to be the leader of a notorious gang involved in major kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery incident in Plateau and neighboring states.
“Between 25th September, to 2nd October, 2022, troops arrested nine suspected kidnappers, rescued eight civilians, while troops on 4th October, 2022, responded to distress call about the attack of gun men at fefur community in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, consequently, troops trailed the assailants and neutralized two suspects and recovered one fabricated pistol with 10 rounds of 7.62mm special.
All recovered items and arrested suspects, the Director said have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.