Military ensuring farmers carry out farming activities unhindered – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says military operations nationwide have continued to secure farmlands and allow farmers to carry out activities unhindered.

Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director, Defence Media Operations, said this on Friday in Abuja in the weekly update on military operations for the week ending Aug. 22.

Kangye said troops, working with security agencies and hybrid forces, intensified ground and air operations against terrorists, insurgents, bandits and oil thieves.

He said the operational tempo had led to the elimination of terrorists, arrest of collaborators, rescue of kidnapped victims and recovery of arms and ammunition.

“The intensity of our operations have also afforded our farmers to carry out farming activities unhindered.

“This effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond,” he said.

In the North East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, arrested nine suspects and rescued kidnapped victims in Borno and Yobe States between Aug. 14 and 21.

He said troops also recovered several caches of rifles, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles and N191,700 cash.

In the North West, Kangye said the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma killed terrorists and rescued 60 kidnapped victims in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger States.

He added that 14 suspects, including informants, were also apprehended during the week.

According to him, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke in the North Central, eliminated terrorists and arrested notorious criminal Adamu Buba, alias “Mai Pankshin,” with 13 accomplices in Plateau and Kaduna States.

“In Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi and the FCT, troops arrested gunrunners and kidnappers’ collaborators, while arms and vehicles were recovered.

In the South-South, troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth N25 million, destroyed illegal refining sites and arrested 33 suspects in the Niger Delta.

“In Delta State, three kidnappers were killed during a ransom collection attempt, while N2.3 million was recovered,” he said.

In the South East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Udo Ka killed and arrested IPOB/ESN members in Abia, Imo and Anambra States.

According to him, nine pregnant women, seven infants and four children were rescued from an illegal orphanage in Imo State in collaboration with NAPTIP.

Kangye said the armed forces would sustain momentum, working with other agencies and local forces to restore peace and stability nationwide.