The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Saturday said that the Armed Forces is through its operations turning the tide against terrorists and violent extremists across the country as the support base of the groups are equally being dislocated as a result of the ongoing operations.

This was contained in statement made available to Defence Correspondents on report of ongoing military operations by the troops of the Armed forces of Nigeria and other security agencies at the various theaters against insurgency activities in the country as at December 28 this year

According to the statement, “Significantly, during the week troops in the North Central theatre of operation intercepted and apprehended 2 ammunition couriers that collaborate with the terrorist.

“The arrested persons identified as Danweri and Abubakar Hamza were apprehended in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State and cooperating with troops.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 148 and arrested 258 persons. Troops also arrested 51 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 291 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N798,146,470.00.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 146 assorted weapons and 2,599 assorted ammunition.The breakdown as follows: 2 PKT guns, 72 AK47 rifles, 33 fabricated rifles, 28 dane guns, 2 locally made SMG, 3 locally made pistols, 2 pump action guns, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 39 magazines.

“Others are: 1,596 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 636 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 111 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 114 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 25 rounds of 9mm ammo, 98 live cartridges, 3 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 36 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones and the sum of N1,838,000.00 amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 68 crude oil cooking ovens, 13 dugout pits, 41 boats, 45 storage tanks and 66 illegal refining sites.

“Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one pumping machine, 150 drums, one generator, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, one drone and 5 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 657,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 127,870 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of DPK,” he added.

Speaking on the operations of the troops, it stated that “The troops of Operation HADIN KAI operating in the North East neutralized 67 terrorists arrested 64 suspects and rescued 45 kidnappers’ hostages. Troops also recovered 49 AK47 rifles, 20 fabricated rifles, 12 dane guns, 2 locally made SMG, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, 854 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 243 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 111 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 26 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 2 vehicles, 2 tricycles, 16 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and the sum of N178,000.00 only amongst other items.”

It further explained that the Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN operating in the North Central neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 43 persons and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages while the troops also recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, one dane gun, one locally pistol, 280 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 100 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 44 live cartridges, 2 magazines, 7 motorcycles, 10 mobile phones amongst others

It added that the troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 20 violent extremists and rescued 20 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 3 dane guns, 140 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 71 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 32 live cartridges, 4 magazines, 3 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst other.

The statement further explained that the Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the South South maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft as the troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products in the zone

According to it, “Troops also arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted several offensive operations in Southern Ijaw and Yenagoa LGAs of Bayelsa State as well as Bonny and Ikwerre LGAs of Rivers State.

“Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 657,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 127,870 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 68 crude oil cooking ovens, 13 dugout pits, 41 boats, 45 storage tanks and 66 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one pumping machine, 150 drums, one generator, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, one drone and 5 vehicles among others.

“Offensive Operations on 17 and 19 December 2024, troops in seperate offensive operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists in Southern Ijaw and Bonny LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 3 extremists and rescued 20 kidnapped hostages.

“Arrests Operations on 17 and 19 December 2024, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 5 violent extremists/pipeline vandals in Ikwerre and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa States respectively.

“Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 657,470 litres of stolen crude oil, 127,870 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 68 crude oil cooking ovens, 13 dugout pits, 41 boats, 45 storage tanks and 66 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one pumping machine, 150 drums, one generator, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, one drone and 5 vehicles among others,” it said.

It added that the troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the North West recorded the following during the week under review; conducted offensive operations and responded to information on activities of terrorists in Kabba Bunu LGAs of Kogi State

“OIffensive Operations. On 22 December 2024, troops while on offensive operations foiled kidnapping incident in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State. Troops rescued 8 kidnapped hostages and reunite them with their families.

“Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH arrested 4 extremists and rescued 8 kidnapped hostages,” it added.

It pointed out that the troops remained focussed on destroying both their military capability as well as their will to fight of terrorist and violent extremist across the country, saying “Troops are in a good position and winning the war.” (Nigerian Tribune)