• as military intensifies onslaught on terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, others
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Media Organization(DMO), have assured that the insecurity bedeviling the country will soon come to an end with the support that the military now enjoys from the citizens.
The DMO, also said that with the intensity in its onslaught against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal groups terrorizing the peace of the country, their days are numbered and advised them to give up or have themselves to blame in the coming days.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja.
He said that the military will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties while conducting its operations, saying Protecting civilians remains a vital part of its objective to promote greater security for all Nigerians.
Buba, while noting that the uncommon cooperation, collaboration, and support received from citizens across the country has yielded positive results in its operations, commended Nigerians for speaking up, and the military is doing something about it.
He said that “Given the active participation of citizens in exposing the activities of these evil elements. Their days are surely numbered to either surrender now or exit this world. The military would sustain the momentum. Therefore if you know something, say something and the military will do something.”
According to Gen Buba, military operations conducted in the last few weeks, resulted in the killing of 38 terrorists and arrest of 175 gunmen.
He said “During the week leading to 11 August 2023, the military neutralized 38 terrorists, arrested 175 gunmen/ criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborator and 17 pipeline vandals. The military also rescued 89 kidnapped hostages. Troops denied the oil theft saboteours the sum of Six Hundred and Seven Million, Three Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira (N607,346,750.00) being value of seizures.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 38 assorted weapons and 186 ammunition. The break down as follows; 14 AK 47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT, 3 AK47 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 7.62mm special, one SMG, 10 dane gun, 5 locally fabricated pistols, 2 fabricated weapon, 2 double barrel guns, one locally made revolver, 3 locally fabricated pistols, 151 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 rounds 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled), 12 AK47 magazines, one G3 rifle magazine, one FN rifle magazine, one magazine containing 30 rounds of 7.62mm special and 7 empty cases of 7.62mm special.
Miscellaneous items recovered include; 33 motorcycles, 30 mobile phones, 4 tricycles, 4 motorola HH radios, 4 vehicles, 10 bags of fertilizers, 73 livestock, 7 cutlasses, one magazine pouch, 2 solar panels, 10 litres of PMS, Nigerian Police uniform, 2 gas cylinders, one power bank, one pairs of woodland and desert camouflages each. Troops also recovered the sum of Two Million Five Hundred and Ninety-Two Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Naira (N2,592,240.00).
Troops of Operation Delta Safe , destroyed 39 illegal refining sites, 72 dugout pits, 65 wooden boats, 70 storage tanks and 119 cooking ovens. Other sundry equipment include: 2 speedboats, 5 outboard engines, and 4 pumping machines. Troops recovered 1,247,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 132,500 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil, 57,450 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine and 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit.
The military would sustain its offensive until they quit. The military would do what it knows to do best. Therefore, “Know Something, Say Something, and Military will do Something”. The details of the operational activities, indicating date, location and other information are contained in the attached enclosure.