By DAYO ADESULU
Troops Neutralize 140 Terrorists and Arrest Key Suspects
In a week of intensified military operations, the Nigerian Armed Forces have reported the neutralization of 140 terrorists and the arrest of 135 suspects across various regions of the country. This announcement was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, during a press briefing in Abuja.
Key Arrests and Operations
Among those apprehended were prominent figures associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB):
- Pius Iguh, a founding member of the group, was arrested in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
- Emmanuel Onwugu, an IPOB commander, was captured in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State.
Maj. Gen. Buba detailed that troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Orsu conducted a successful sting operation that led to Iguh’s arrest, while troops at FOB Amaruku executed a raid resulting in Onwugu’s capture. Additionally, a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock was apprehended along with ten of his associates in Arochukwu, Abia State.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Over the past week, the military successfully rescued 76 kidnapped hostages and arrested 18 individuals involved in oil theft operations. The Armed Forces reported the recovery of stolen crude oil valued at approximately N1.7 billion.
In the Niger Delta region, troops discovered and dismantled:
- 33 crude oil cooking ovens
- 19 dugout pits
- 41 boats
- 70 drums
- 22 storage tanks
- 47 illegal refining sites
Other recovered assets included 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined diesel.
Weapons and Ammunition Seizures
The military operations also yielded a significant cache of weapons and ammunition:
- A total of 241 weapons were recovered, including:
- 141 AK47 rifles
- One PKT gun
- Two FN rifles
- Seventeen fabricated rifles
- Twenty-six Dane guns
- Thirteen pump-action guns
- Four locally made pistols
- One Beretta pistol
In terms of ammunition, the breakdown included:
- 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo
- 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO
- 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo
- 76 rounds of 9mm ammo
- 113 live cartridges
Additional items recovered encompassed two Baofeng radios, three vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones, and a sum of N79,052,150.00 and $19.
Conclusion
These recent operations underscore the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to combating terrorism, organized crime, and illegal oil theft in the country. The successful arrests and neutralizations demonstrate ongoing efforts to restore security and stability across various regions, particularly in the Southeast and Niger Delta areas.
