The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Thursday that over 500 known and wanted leaders and commanders of terrorist groups, violent extremist organizations, and criminal gangs have been neutralized in battlefield operations from January to December 2024.

The DHQ also disclosed that the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, has heightened its state of readiness to ensure that no terrorist group or criminal element disrupts peace and security during the festive season.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, revealed that many of the neutralized commanders, particularly those listed in official media and government gazettes, were eliminated during coordinated air and ground offensives. He added that the military will soon release a fresh publication of wanted terrorist commanders who have been chosen to replace the neutralized leaders.

Major General Buba described the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Finland as a significant development.

?Terrorism is a global phenomenon impacting the international community, and no one country can combat it alone. We are happy that the international community has taken action. Simon Ekpa will surely face the law and the consequences of his actions,? he said.

Buba attributed the continued influx of arms and ammunition into the country to terrorist activities in the Sahel region and transnational jihadist operations.

?This increased arms flow is due to terrorist activities in the Sahel and other jihadist movements. Our expansive borders further complicate the situation. However, we are not resting on our oars in addressing this challenge.

?The quantum of arms and ammunition recovered from terrorists and criminal groups across our theatres, running into several hundreds of thousands, is proof of our efforts. Similarly, the number of gunrunners and logistics suppliers arrested shows we have dealt a significant blow to these groups? firepower.?

Responding to allegations that troops involved in combating economic sabotage are partaking in crude oil theft, Buba said: ?For someone to go on national television and slander the military by accusing them of oil theft is unfortunate and unfounded.

?The claim is myopic. We all witnessed the directive by Mr. President to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to tackle crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. This effort has led to an increase in production from 1.2 million barrels per day to approximately 1.75 million barrels per day. The results speak for themselves.? (Vanguard)