The Defence Headquarters announced on Thursday that a total of 18 suspected terrorists were apprehended within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The arrests took place during operations conducted on February 14.
The Abuja Municipal Area Council serves as the core administrative district of the nation’s capital, housing the presidential villa, embassies, and numerous government, private, and international establishments.
During a briefing in Abuja on the troops’ nationwide operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba disclosed that the captured terrorists were found in possession of charms, bulletproof vests, and other items.
He said, “Arrest of Suspected Violent Extremists/Terrorists: On February 14, 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 18 suspected violent extremists in AMAC of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered a bulletproof vest, a substance suspected to be cannabis, assorted charms, and the sum of N9,000.00 amongst others.”
Buba reported that a combined total of 244 terrorists were apprehended, while 286 were eliminated during operations conducted from February 13th to February 22nd, 2024.
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 286 arrested 244 of them, and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 Dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades, and 10 IEDs.
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“Others are 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00 amongst other items.”
During the operations targeting oil thieves, it was observed that a total of N2.5 billion worth of crude oil was recovered, and 83 suspects were apprehended during the specified period.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N2,565,479,720.00 only. Troops also arrested 83 perpetrators of oil theft. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles, and 74 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK, and 6,790 litres of PMS, ” Buba added.
Buba underscored the military’s endeavors in countering terrorists and bandits, emphasizing the imperative of sound governance to alleviate the pervasive insecurity.
He said, “We have eliminated several terrorists, their leaders and commanders. Troops are continually going after the terrorist and dislodging them from their hideouts. In spite of all these, it would appear that there is more to be done to win this war outside the use of military pressure.
“Accordingly, we must now win this war by changing the conditions that make the insurgents willing to fight. We must also win the war by increasing support for the government at various levels through heart and mind projects indicative of good governance.”
According to The PUNCH, in January, the DHQ announced that troops eliminated 43 individuals and apprehended 115 during operations carried out in the initial week of the year. The DHQ reaffirmed its commitment to vanquishing terrorists and bandits causing havoc in the nation.
Throughout the period spanning from January to December 2023, military forces neutralized 6,886 terrorists and assorted suspected criminals. Additionally, a total of 6,970 individuals, including terrorists and suspects, were apprehended in 2023.
