The Defence Headquarters says troops have killed 96 terrorists and arrested 227 suspects during an operation in the northern part of Nigeria.
The DHQ revealed this in a statement on Friday by its Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Buba Edward
The statement noted that among those arrested was a terrorist commander identified as Usman Maisaje.
The statement also stated that troops recovered crude oil worth N712m in the South-South and arrested 45 oil theft suspects.
He added that the suspect cooperates and provides troops with much-needed intelligence for further operations.
“During the week, troops neutralised 96 arrested 227 persons, and rescued 157 kidnapped hostages. Buba said
“Troops in the NC operational theatre arrested a notorious terrorist commander identified as Usman Maisaje.
“The arrested terrorist commander is a close associate of a wanted high-profile terrorist leader known as Kachalla Boka. The arrest has been rewarding in intelligence value as he is cooperating and providing troops with much-needed intelligence for further operations.”
“Meanwhile In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N712,065,450.00 only. Troops also arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 4 dugout pits, 48 boats, 52 drums and 38 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 55 cooking ovens, 2 speedboats, one tricycle, 6 mobile phones, 6 vehicles and 60 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 712,535 litres of stolen crude oil and 76,800 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
The statement added that 71 assorted weapons and 1,463 ammunition were recovered.
It said: “The breakdown is as follows: 50 AK47 rifles, 16 fabricated rifles, 5 Dane guns, 5 pump-action guns, 5 locally made pistols, one revolver pistol, and 16 AK47 magazines.
“Others are 784 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 403 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 164 rounds 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 53 rounds of 9mm ammo, 67 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 19 vehicles, 23 motorcycles, 35 mobile phones and the sum of N4,087,630.00 and 46,000 cfa only amongst other items”.
Written by Jennifer Amarachi
