Troops recover 920,800 litres of stolen crude, 113 hostages
The Nigerian military has announced that its troops have neutralised 147 terrorists, apprehended 381 suspects, 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 113 kidnapped hostages across the country in the last week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing journalists on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Buba, the troops recovered 74 assorted weapons and 3,498 ammunition, comprising one dushka, one RPG bomb, one RPG charger, 42 AK47 rifles, 10 fabricated rifles, and 13 Dane guns.
The troops also recovered 288 rounds RG55 ammo, 40 rounds CJ95 ammo, 2,466 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 470 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 73 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, and 112 rounds of 7.62x39mm.
In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 81 terrorists, arrested 52 suspects, and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.
In the North Central, Buba said troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 17 insurgents, arrested 101 violent extremists, and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages within the week.
In North West, he said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch neutralised 39 terrorists, apprehended 192 suspects, and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered a cache of arms.
In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 920,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 88,760 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,500 litres of PMS.
The troops also discovered and destroyed 15 dugout pits, 17 boats, 62 drums, one receiver, and 27 storage tanks as well as 84 illegal refining sites.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised nine terrorists, arrested eight violent extremists, and rescued six kidnapped hostages as well as recovered weapons.
In the South West, he said the troops of Operation AWATSE apprehended five violent extremists and recovered four AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, and 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, amongst others.
