Renewed Military Operations Vanquish 59 Terrorists

• Nab  20 gunmen, 19 oil thieves, rescue 88 kidnap victims

 Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The military high command said yesterday that troops vanquished 59 terrorists and arrested 88 crime suspects including 10 kidnappers and 19 oil thieves in a renewed onslaught against non-state actors.

A statement signed by the new Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said the Armed Forces of Nigeria engaged in several operations across the six geo-political zones in a bid to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.

It said in the course of the operations across the country, troops recovered a total number of 68 weapons and 1,364 ammunition.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria is engaged in several operations across the six geo-political zones to tackle the security challenges confronting the nation.

“As at 28 July 2003, the military has neutralised 59 terrorists, arrested a total number of 88 criminals, 10 kidnappers, 20 gunmen and 19 suspected oil thefts. Troops have also rescued 88 kidnapped hostages,” it said.

The statement further disclosed that in the course of operations across the country, troops recovered a total number of 68 weapons and 1,364 ammunition.

“Troops recovered 26 AK47 rifles, one GPMG, one AKMS rifle, one FN rifle, four pump action, five pistols and 19 dane guns. Also recovered are 1,083 rounds 7.62mm special, 228 rounds 7.62mm NATO, 14 rounds 5.56 x 45mm, 15 fully loaded AK47 magazines, nine rounds of 9mm ammo and the sum of N41,915.00 only and CFA 49,000. 

“Others include 323,650 liters of stolen crude oil, 128,700 liters of illegally refined AGO and 4,000 liters of DPK while an estimated sum of N388,441,660.00 was denied the oil thieves,” it said.