Troops of the Nigerian Army  on Thursday neutralised six terrorists, recovering a substantial cache of arms in a counter-terrorism operation at Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

A statement by the army posted on its official X Handle said the operation targeted identified terrorists hideouts in the Birnin Gwari general area.

“It is part of a special clearance mission aimed at restoring peace and security in the state.

“The troops conducted  thorough clearance across Maidaro, Ngade Alha, Dogon Dawa, Damari, Saulawa, Farin Ruwa, Maganda, Sabon Layi, and Kampanin Doka villages.

“The troops made initial contact with the terrorists in Saulawa, where two terrorists were immediately neutralised with recovery of a Baofeng Radio and a motorbike.

“The mission continued with further combat engagements in Farin Ruwa, where the troops neutralised additional four terrorists.

“The gallant troops also recovered a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two AK-47 rifles, six AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle magazine, 22 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 51 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and another motorbike.

“The successful clearance operation underscores the army’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring  safety and security of citizens in Kaduna State and other troubled spots,” it said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) said it has seized 26,950 litres of petroleum products worth N19 million being smuggled out of the country into Republic of Benin.

The National Coordinator, Operation Whirlwind of the NSC, Mr Hussein Ejibunu, disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference held at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.

He said that the petroleum products which consisted of 978 kegs of 25 litres totaling 26,950 litres was impounded in Zone A of the NCS consisting of Lagos and Ogun.

Ejibunu said the special squad was set up few weeks ago by the Controller-General of NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, to complement efforts aimed at cracking down on criminals smuggling petroleum products outside the country.

The customs officer added that the activities of the smugglers usually aid the artificial scarcity of petroleum products in the country forcing the prices to go up for as much as N900 per litre.

He said: “In just about two weeks of operation, Operation Whirlwind team, Zone A axis, intercepted 26,950 litres of premium motor spirit worth N19 million.

“121 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 3,025 litres was intercepted at Oyinkansola Global Concept along Badagry/Seme road in Lagos State on May 31.

“77 drums of PMS (616 kegs of 25 litres) equivalent to 15, 400 litres was seized on June 7 at Seayab Petroleum along Imeko/Obada road in Ogun state.

“The means of conveyance is a truck with the registration number 95D4244D,” he said.

Ejibunu stated further that another 100 kegs of PMS of 25 litres equivalent to 2,500 litres was impounded on June 8 along Owode/Atan road in Ogun.

“While an equivalent of 6,025 litres consisting of 141 kegs of 25 litres was seized at Julankoly Oil and Gas along Owode-Ilaro Road,’’ he said.

Ejibunu said that the petrol stations involved in the criminal activities had been sealed while their owners would be prosecuted.

He said the menace posed by the unpatriotic act of smugglers on the Nigerian economy could not be overemphasised, hence the need for synergy with other relevant agencies to win the fight against the saboteurs.

He warned all those who were into criminal acts of sabotaging the country’s economy to either have a change of heart or get dealt with according to the laws.

The Defence Headquarters says troops deployed in different parts of the country have in the last one week neutralised no fewer than 197 terrorists and apprehended 310 others across theatres of operation.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops also rescued 251 kidnapped hostages and recovered 180 assorted weapons and 5,123 assorted ammunition within the week in different operations.

The breakdown, according to him, comprised two PKT guns, 73 AK47 rifles and 17 locally fabricated guns, 3,207 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,022 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 243 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo among others.

In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 83 terrorists, arrested 71 suspects and rescued 48 kidnappers hostages within the week.

He said the troops also recovered two PKT guns, 35 AK47 rifles, nine fabricated rifles, 10 dane guns, and 10 grenades amongst others.

In the North Central, he said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized 11 insurgents, arrested 64 violent extremists and rescued 21 kidnapped hostages as well as several cache of arms.

According to him, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised six terrorists, arrested 20 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 66 rounds of 7.62mm special and 6 cartridges amongst others,” he said.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 65 terrorists, arrested 80 terrorists and rescued 54 kidnapped hostages within the week under review.

He added that the troops recovered 29 AK47 rifles, 7 fabricated rifles, 4 dane guns and 991 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo among others.

He added that troops of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised 19 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered three AK47 rifles and 119 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, among others.

Buba said the security situation in the zone, especially Zamfara required collaborative approach between the state government and the locals to be able to nip it in the bud.

He said the governor of the state had come out to describe Zamfara as the epicenter of kidnapping as also corroborated by the Commissioner of Police, he said had described kidnapping as a big industry in the state.

“The military is on the ground there and we are fighting. Ours is to fight and to kill the terrorists and to destroy them.

“In this month alone, even up to yesterday, we have lost nine personnel which is a testament that we are working tirelessly to bring peace, to secure the land and create a safe environment for the people.

“I will end this by saying that it is close to impossible to win this war without the support of the people because of the caliber of people involved in kidnapping in Zamfara,” he said.