The Armed Forces of Nigeria have dealt a serious blow to terrorist organizations around the nation with notable successes in their continuing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations. Defense Media Operations reports that troops had stopped N1.75 billion worth of oil theft, detained important leaders, and neutralized 140 terrorists.
The military’s accomplishments were documented in a number of operational theaters, with the South East achieving particularly noteworthy results. Pius Iguh, a founding member of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) organization in Imo State, was arrested as a result of a sting operation carried out by troops at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Orsu. In a similar vein, forces at FOB Amaruku in Abia State captured Emmanuel Onwugu, another IPOB commander. Additionally, a coordinated sting operation led to the arrest of a well-known cult leader Ifeanyi Rock and 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu, Abia State.
Troops detained 135 people and neutralized 140 terrorists during the reviewed week. In addition, 76 hostages who had been abducted were freed, and 18 oil thieves were caught. A sizable cache of guns and ammunition, comprising 3,254 rounds of ammunition and 241 different weapons, was also retrieved by the troops. Thirteen speedboats, one tricycle, four motorcycles, three cars, and N79,052,150 in total were among the other goods found.
Troops in the Niger Delta region found and destroyed 47 illicit refining operations, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks, 19 dugout pits, and 33 crude oil cooking furnaces. Additionally, the military retrieved 557,210 liters of illegally refined AGO and 1,122,710 liters of stolen crude oil.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, encouraged the public to support the military’s efforts to combat terrorism and reassured them that the military is still dedicated to doing so. He said, “We urge citizens to view themselves as the military’s outstretched arm and to never allow terrorism to flourish in our country.”
