Troop kill 140 terrorists, arrest 135 others

• As Defense Minister wants Bello Turji arrested now

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam & Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

The Nigeria military said its troops during the week under review, neutralised 140 and arrested 135 terrorists.

This is as the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has directed the troops of the Operation Fansar Yamma (OPFY) under Nigerian Army to do all they could to secure the arrest of notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, while giving update on the military operations in the country, Major General, Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, said troops have  denied these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives.

He added that troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages.

“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Seven Hundred and Fifty One Million Eight Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand Five Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,751,886,550.00) only.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one barreta pistol, 2 bayonets and 42 AK47 magazines.

“Others are: 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites .Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, 3 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.

“Troops  continue to  deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation  that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader. The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.

“Similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu. He was arrested in Mbano LGA of Abia State.

“Relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock. He was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu in Abia State.

“Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorist on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again.

We call on citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in our nation.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Defense, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar has directed the troops of the Operation Fansar Yamma (OPFY) under Nigerian Army to do all they could to secure the arrest of notorious bandits’ kingpin, Bello Turji.

The Minister who was in Zamfara State to convey the Presidential directive to the troops of the OPFY on Thursday, said the federal government firm resolution is to ensure end of the banditry in the Northwest.