Troops in the North Central Zone of Nigeria have seized and destroyed 429 motorcycles from terrorists and other criminals in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Major General Musa Danmadami, Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO) announced this at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday, during the biweekly briefing on troops activities and operational successes in the various operational theaters in the country.
According to him,on 8th December, 2022, troops in “conjunctions with other security agencies raided Karamajiji and Lugbe general areas in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory to rid the general area of the menace of criminal elements.
During the operations the team intercepted a total of 429 motorcycles,he said,adding that motorcycles were subsequently crushed same day in an open field at Lugbe in the presence of all participating security agencies.
He said,on 16th December, 2022, troops in conjunction with other security agencies conducted fighting patrol to Kassanki village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and arrested five suspected kidnappers in their hideout.
He also said,between 8th and 15th December 2022, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN raided the residence of a notorious gunrunner who was on the wanted lists of own troops at Rampla village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Two fabricated pistols and one fabricated rifle were recovered by the troops during the operation.
He added:”Troops also carried out covert operation on 9th December, 2022 and arrested two notorious kidnappers at Gora and Maijuju villages in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State. Troops while on patrol had also contact with bandits within Kampani general area in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Following the operation, troops neutralized one bandit while others fled. Troops recovered 25 rounds of 7.62mm special and two motorcycles among other items. Also, a notorious gun runner was equally arrested along Kwankonka-Zaria road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state on 19 December 2022 with 1 fabricated AK47 rifle, 1 fabricated pistol and 533 rounds of 7.62mm NATO concealed in a bag of grains, while a bandolier was also discovered inside a jerrycan of palm oil.
“Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops recovered three locally fabricated AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated pistol, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special, 533 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, tre motorcycles, cutlasses and mobile phones among other items”
Danmadami said, the air component of Operation SAFE HAVEN on 3rd December, 2022 conducted air interdiction operation at identified bandits hideouts at Odare, Magama forests and Zurak general area of Kampani village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He added that during the operation, seven motorcycles, each mounted by three bandit were seen trying to escape but were bombarded.
Feedback confirmed that the bandits suffered severe casualties as they were all confirmed to have been neutralized in the air strikes,he said.
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West Zone of the Country, according to General Danmadami have sustained operational activities through the conduct of fighting patrols, raid and clearance operations to clear bandits and terrorists enclaves within various towns and Local Government Areas of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara and Kaduna States respectively.
He added:”On December 2022, troops conducted fighting patrols to an identified bandits hideout at Ungawan Babale and Rafin Sarki in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State and made contact with the terrorists.
“Following the fire fight, troops neutralized five terrorists while others fled. Equally, on 7th December 2022, troops on fighting patrol at Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State arrested a suspected gun runner who has been on the wanted list of troops at a filling station while refueling his car.
“Items recovered from him include five AK47 rifles, 4,000 rounds of 7.6mm special ammo concealed in a sack, four magazines, teargas cannister as well as knives. Also, on 4th, December 2022, troops responded to distress call on terrorist attack at Maigamji village in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State and made contact with the terrorist, during the operation, three bandits were neutralized while others fled with gun shot wounds.
“Troops exploited the area and recovered a bag containing seven AK 47 magazines loaded with 204 rounds of 7.62mm special, two motorcycles and a mobile phone. Same day, troops made contact with bandits at Mahuta village in the same Funtua Local Government Area.Following the fire fight, troops neutralized three terrorists and recovered two dane guns, four mobile phones and daggers among other items.”
