The Defence Headquarters has reported that troops engaged in operations across the country have successfully neutralized 212 criminals and apprehended 252 others within the past two weeks.
Additionally, they arrested 29 individuals involved in oil theft and rescued 244 kidnap victims.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed these statistics during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, March 28.
He stated, “Troops recovered 223 assorted weapons and 2,756 assorted ammunition.”
Providing details, Buba enumerated the seized weapons, including “three M56 rifles, 115 AK47 rifles, three PKT guns, 24 locally fabricated guns, 36 dane guns, seven locally fabricated pistols, one fabricated revolver pistol, three locally made single-barrel guns, two hand grenades, and one locally made explosive.”
Furthermore, Buba listed the recovered ammunition and other items, which encompassed “1,716 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 494 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62 x 25mm ammo, 290 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 81 rounds of 9mm ammo, 2 live cartridges, 16 magazines, 3 M56 rifle magazines, one HH radio, 5 vehicles, 14 motorcycles, 15 mobile phones, and the sum of N857,960.00 amongst other items.”
In addition to operations in the Niger Delta region resulting in the recovery of stolen crude oil and illegal diesel, Buba highlighted the discovery and destruction of several illegal refining sites and related equipment. He stated, “Troops also discovered and destroyed 102 dugout pits, 41 boats, 36 storage tanks, and 8 vehicles. Other items recovered include 39 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machines, and 61 illegal refining sites.”
Buba emphasized the military’s commitment to maintaining the momentum of successful operations, citing recent hostage rescues in Sokoto and Kaduna States. He remarked, “The rescue of these hostages is indicative of a better understanding of the dynamics of what we are dealing with, and to address the issue in a much safer manner.”