…as DHQ harps on a whole-of-society approach to end insurgents, terrorism.
By Victor Akaa, Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said, troops under the auspices of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have apprehended a District Head of Awe Local Government Area (name withheld) in Nasarawa State with dangerous weapons and ammunition.
The arrest was made during the raid operations conducted by the troops of OPWS on terrorists’ hideouts within its Area of Responsibility of Benue, Nasarawa and Kaduna States as well as Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the week.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, whilst addressing Newsmen in Abuja during a routine briefing on the operational engagement of the military across the country, said troops have on 21 September 2023, raided and apprehended the District Head of Awe LGA of Nasarawa State and recovered one SMG, one G3 rifle, one unserviceable FN rifle, 19 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 4 rounds of 9mm ammo.
Highlighting the successes recorded by the military in collaboration with other security agencies in the ongoing operations across the country in the last week, the Director said troops neutralized 191 terrorists, and apprehended 184 terrorists, while over 104 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops among other notable successes recorded.
“The ongoing operations in the last week, the military neutralized 191 terrorists. Troops then arrested 184 terrorists, and 22 perpetrators of oil theft, and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages while a total of 104 BH/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across theatres of Operation. Troops denied oil theft of an estimated sum of Three Hundred and Eighty Eight Million Four Hundred and Sixty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Naira (N388,469,650.00).
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, 3 tapping hoses, 4 drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, 6 pumping machines, 3 outboard engines and 34 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 696,250 litres of stolen crude oil, 54,400 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,200 litres PMS,” he said.
He said troops recovered 209 assorted weapons and 2,894 assorted ammunition comprising 46 AK47 rifles, 8 G3 rifles, one SMG, one PKT gun, 11 locally made rifles, 8 Dane guns, 2 locally made revolvers, 9 locally fabricated AK47 rifles, 2 high-grade military rifles, 3 locally made IED launchers, 3 locally made pistols, one x 36 hand grenade, IEDs, 5 Ak47 rifles loaded with 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 837 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 289 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 275 rounds of 9mm ammo and 43 live cartridges, among others.
In another development, General Buba reiterated the need for a whole societal commitment to end insurgency and terrorism in the country, adding that military operations alone cannot win the counterinsurgency war.
“Our mission against terrorists, insurgents and perpetrators of insecurity in the country should not be seen as the exclusive preserve of just the military alone. Experience reveals that military means alone can not neutralise terrorism and insurgency.
“This underscores the need for our counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency war to remain a reflection of a whole of society’s commitment. The perpetrators of the insecurity are not ghosts, they have families, and relations and are from villages and communities in the country. Through a whole-of-society approach, we will suffocate any hope that these groups have of victory through senseless killings and dastardly acts.
“Indeed, while we all are from one locality or another, not everyone can be in the military. Recognising this, there are several ways society can show its commitment in support of the overall objective to defeat terrorism and insurgency in the country. Importantly, such commitment should reflect and align with the will of the people.” he stated.