In a media statement issued by Mr. Edward Bubba a Major-General the Director of Defence Media Operations on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff explained that the Joint Task Force Operation of Hadin Kai in the North-East made a remarkable onslaught on people terrorizing the peace of the region.
The followings are their achievements most especially the North East that troops of Operation HADIN KAI conducted fighting patrols to Dikwa and Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. Troops ambushed and raided suspected terrorists’ hideouts in Bama, Jama'are and Itas Gadau LGAs of Borno and Bauchi States respectively. Troops offensive resulted in elimination of terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunitions.
That troops also conducted fighting patrol, arrested terrorists’ collaborators in Kaga LGA of Borno State and details as follows:
a. Troops Neutralize Terrorists and Recovered Arms.
(1) On 28 August 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol in Dikwa LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, 16 rounds of 7.62 mm Special (refilled ammo) and other sundry items.
(2) On 29 August 2023, troops laid ambush against terrorists at check point at Miyanti in Bama LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists while others fled. Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle with 11 rounds of 7.62 mm Special (refilled) ammo.
(3) On 30 August 2023, troops raided suspected kidnapper hideout in Jama'are and Itas Gadau LGAs of Bauchi State. Troops made contact with the kidnappers. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 5 suspected kidnappers while others fled. Troops recovered 3 AK47 rifles, one SMG rifle and 105 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
(4) On 1 Sep 23, troops conducted a fighting patrol to clear suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists camps within Timbuktu Triangle in Damboa LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one terrorist, recovered one AK47 rifle and 2 mobile phones.
(5) On 3 September 2023, troops responded to terrorists activities in Magumeri LGA of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized one terrorist while others fled. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, 4 rounds 7.62 mm Special ammo, one machete, one torch light among other items.
(6) On 4 September 2023, following information on terrorists’ movement on the fringes of Timbuktu Triangle. Troops ambushed terrorist in Kaga LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered one AK 47 rifle with 17 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo and other sundry items.
b. Troops Arrest Terrorist Collaborators. On 29 August 2023, troops on a fighting patrol ambushed terrorists collaborators in Kaga LGA of Borno State. During the operation, troops arrested 6 suspected terrorists’ logistics suppliers. Troops recovered 5 motorcycles, the sum of ₦367,430.00 and other sundry items.
c. Surrendered BH/ISWAP Terrorists. On 3 September 2023, 2 BH/ISWAP terrorists surrendered to troops in Damboa LGA of Borno State. Troops recovered 2AK 47 rifles, 2 magazines and 3 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
d. Air Interdiction. The air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air recces around North East of Maiduguri. Terrorists’ activities were sighted, acquired and engaged with cannons and rockets neutralizing several terrorists and destroying their structures.
SUMMARY
4. Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recovered; 9 AK47 rifles, one SMG rifle, one dane gun, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special (refilled) ammo, 125 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 live cartridges, 2 AK47 magazines, 6 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones, 3 cutlasses and the sum of N374,930. Troops also neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 25 and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
5. Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted fighting patrol and recovered arms and ammunitions in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. Troops extensive raids led to arrest of suspected kidnappers and gunrunner in Bokkos, Jos South and Jema’a LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively.
6. Details are as follows:
a. Troops Recovered Arms. On 28 August 2023, troops conducted a fighting patrol and recovered arm and ammunitions in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. The arm was abandoned by herders who fled on sighting the troops. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle loaded with 2 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
b. Troops Arrested suspected Kidnappers. Between 28 and 29 August 2023, in a separate operation, troops intercept and arrested 3 suspects in Bokkos and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State. Investigation revealed that two of the suspects were kidnappers. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle and 37 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
c. Troops Arrested suspected Gunrunner.
(1) On 31 August 2023, following a tip off, troops arrested a suspected gunrunner in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. Troops searched the suspect residence and one AK47 rifle and 18 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.
(2) On 1 September 2023, in a separated of operations, troops in conjunction with DSS operatives conducted sting operation in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. Troops arrested 2 terrorists’ collaborators. Troops 5 RPG bombs, 15 RPG chargers, 5 explosives, 5 Pump action rifles and 4,000 cartridges.
SUMMARY
7. Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered one AK47 rifles, one AK47 rifle loaded with 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one pump action gun, 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 3 cartridges and the sum of N1,500. Troops neutralized one terrorist, arrested 29, one gunrunner, 3 kidnappers and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
8. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE foiled a robbery attack and rescued hostages in Guma LGA of Benue State. Troops raided criminal hideout in Kuje Area Council of FCT Abuja and arrested criminals with illicit substances.
9. Details are as follows:
a. Troops Foiled Robbery Attack and Rescued Victims. Between 28 – 30 August 2023, troops responded to information of suspected armed robbery attacks in Guma LGA of Benue State. On sighting troops, the criminals fled. Troops rescued 3 victims and recovered one vehicle and 2 motorcycles.
b. Troops Raid Suspected Criminal Hideout. On 28 August 2023, troops conducted raid on a suspected criminals’ hideout and drug peddlers in Kuje Area Council of the FCT Abuja. Following the raid, troops arrested 8 suspects with substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
SUMMARY
10. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recovered 2 vehicles, 2 motorcycles and neutralized one terrorist. Troops also, rescued 6 hostages and arrested 9 suspects.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)
11. The troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI continued to clamped down on terrorists’ activities in the general area. Troops neutralized terrorist and recovered arms and ammunition in Talata Mafara, LGA in Zamfara State, as well as Danmusa and Mutazu LGAs in Katsina State. Troops also foiled kidnapped activities in Faskari LGA of Zamfara State and rescued hostages in Bukuyyum LGAs of Katsina State.
13. Details are as follows;
a. Ambush on Suspected Terrorists. On 29 August 2023, following a tip-off on terrorists’ plan to attack Duba Village in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. Troops laid ambush and made contact with the bandits. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 bandits and recovered one motorcycle.
b. Rescue of Kidnapped Hostages On 29 August 2023, following intelligence report on kidnapped activity of 2 BUA truck drivers in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Troops mobilized and made contact with the suspected terrorists. Following a fire fight, the terrorists fled abandoning their kidnapped victims. Troops rescued the 2 kidnapped drivers.
SUMMARY
15. Overall, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 4 terrorists, rescued 14 kidnapped hostages and recovered 3 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and a sum of N12,280.
OP WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
16. Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the fight against terrorists rescued kidnapped hostages at Chikun and Birni Gwari LGAs of Kaduna State. Troops offensive actions resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
17. Details as follows:
a. Arrest of Terrorists Collaborators.
(1) On 28 August 2023, Troops in conjunction with hybrid force conducted a covert operation in Soba LGA of Kaduna State. Troops arrested one suspected terrorist logistics supplier. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect visited daily to purchase food and other items in bulk. Troops recovered one motorcycle, some quantities of substance suspected to be cannabis and large quantity of ready-made food.
(2) On 29 August 2023, troops while on routine patrol arrested a suspected terrorist’s informant in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect carries out errands as well as give information to terrorists on troops movement.
b. Cordon and Search Operation. On 31 August 2023, following a tip off, troops conducted cordon and search operation in the house of a gunrunner in Jema'a LGA of Kaduna State. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle and 18 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, however, the suspect fled and a hunt is out to apprehend him.
SUMMARY
19. Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH eliminated 2 terrorists, arrested 3 suspected terrorists and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
21. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products.
22. Details as follows:
a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops discovered and destroyed 2 dugout pits, 23 boats, 64 storage tanks, 2 vehicles, 36 cooking ovens, 4 motorcycles, 5 pumping machine and 13 illegal refining sites. Commendably, about 115,900 l of stolen crude oil, 461,350 l of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 PMS were recovered. Troops also apprehended 9 suspected oil theft.
b. Raid Operation.
(1) On 28 Aug 23, following human intelligence, troops in conjunction with officials of Akwa Ibom State Government raided a suspected illegal mining site by Chinese expatriates (Rotai Mining Company), at Ibeno LGA Akwa Ibom State. The expatriates mining mineral identified as Titanium Ore without due authorization claimed to have applied for mining license pending approval. Further investigation is ongoing.
(2) On 1 September 2023, following a tip off, troops raided suspected militant camp at in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State. Troops made contact and arrested a suspected militant/bunkerer. Troops recovered one Pump action gun, 2 live cartridges, 2 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammo, one round of 7.62 mm Special ammo and NA uniforms.
23. Air Interdiction. Following intelligence on illegal refining activities in Bille and Gogokiri, troops conducted air interdiction over the locations. The location was sighted to be active and subsequently acquired. The locations were attacked with rockets and cannons, destroying their equipment and reservoirs.
SUMMARY
24. Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 81 dugout pits, 65 boats, 141 storage tanks, 15 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 174 cooking ovens, 8 pumping machines, 3 generators, 5 speedboats and 77 illegal refining sites. Also, troops recovered 869,900 liters of stolen crude oil, 538,875 liters of illegally refined AGO, 350 litres DPK, 82,150 liters of PMS, 4 weapons and 3 assorted ammunitions. Troops also arrested 67 suspected oil thefts.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
25. Troops of operation UDO KA conducted the following activities:
a. Raid Operation.
(1) On 28 August 2023, troops raided a suspected IPOB/ESN's criminals’ hideout in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State. Troops arrested 3 suspected IPOB/ESN criminals.
(2) On 3 September 2023, troops while on patrol arrested 8 suspected criminals in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State. Troops recovered one double barrel gun, one cartridge, 4 cutlasses, 4 mobile phones, 2 bunch of car keys, 3 anticult ID cards, 2 ATM cards, Alligator Pepper, one bag containing land documents and the sum of N1,500.00 only.
b. Rescued of Kidnapped Victim. On 28 August 2023, troops responded to information on kidnapping of Ameta Vill Community Chairman, Mr Nwosu Christian, in Awgu LGA of Enugu State. On sighting troops, criminals fled abandoning victim. Troops rescued the victim.
c. Troops Arrested criminals and Recovered Arms.
(1) On 1 September 2023, troops on patrol arrested 5 suspects in Aninri LGA of Enugu State. These criminals include a female informant and a collaborator who buy stolen items from the IPOB members. Troops recovered one locally made short barrel gun, one locally made pistol, 2 cartridges, 2 cutlasses, 8 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of Nineteen Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N19,200.00) only.
(2) On 3 September 2023, troops responded to a distress call about a car snatched in Nkwerre LGA of Imo State. Troops moved to the scene and arrested 2 suspects. Troops recovered one locally made pistol, a wallet that contained ID cards, photocopies of the car documents, the sum of N33, 500.00 and Eight US dollar ($8) only.
SUMMARY
27. In the conduct of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA recovered one locally made short barrel gun, one locally made pistol, 2 cartridges, 2 cutlasses, 11 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and the sum of Nineteen Thousand Two Hundred Naira (N19,200.00). Troops also neutralized 3 terrorists, arrested 25 suspected criminals and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.