The Defence Headquarters has said that the cooperation and support of citizens across the country is very crucial for the armed forces to completely eradicate terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements that are terrorizing the country and her people.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated this on Thursday at the New Conference Room of the Defence Headquarters while feeding questions from newsmen during a press briefing on the achievements of troops at the various theaters of ongoing military operations across the country.
According to him, citizens are required as part of their civic responsibility to provide intelligence and actionable information to the armed forces to aid troops at the frontline to succeed in the war against terrorists and their collaborators. He urged citizens to develop the culture of speaking to security agencies whenever they see any suspicious move.
General Buba also hinted that relevant security agencies are working behind the scene to bring sponsors of terrorism and banditry irrespective of their political and social status to book.
He said, “As I have always said, winning the war against terrorism is largely dependent on the people, not just the military, their weapons and subnational. The military is always doing its best by engaging in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to take out terrorists and their collaborators. However, the role of citizens cannot be overemphasized.
“May I also assure you that the relevant agencies saddled with security responsibility are doing something about sponsors of terrorist groups and banditry. Soon something will be heard about it.”
Earlier while briefing journalists on the achievements of the armed forces in the third quarter of 2024, General Buba stated that at least 1,937 terrorists were killed while about 2,782 suspected terrorists and criminals were arrested by troops in various theatres of operations across the country. He further stated that 1854 kidnapped hostages were also rescued by troops.
“Overall, in the third quarter of this year, troops neutralized 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 1,304 weapons, 43,347 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N13 Bn (N13,081,605,534.00) only.
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“Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 191 assorted arms and 8,292 assorted ammo.
“Others are 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 liters of DPK and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst other items. Accordingly, the nation’s daily crude oil production output is at an all-time high with the nation’s daily target in sight,” General Buba said.
The General also hinted that about 65 notable terrorist leaders and commanders were part of those neutralized by the troops.
“Troops offensive actions culminated in the neutralization of over 65 notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants across all theatres of operations. Significant terrorist leaders were eliminated from the battlefield. These include: Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko, Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir, Kachalla Ɗan Baleri, Kachallah Halilu Jimmare (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya and Ofem Emmanuel Igwe among others,” he stated.
General Buba expressed confidence that troops are keeping the pressure on the terrorist until they are totally defeated.
“The military is focussed on dismantling the terror infrastructure of these terror groups as well as destroying their will to fight. Accordingly, we are attacking any threat we identify, and removing it. The war objective is to destroy these groups, decapitate them, and erode their ability to rage terror attacks against citizens,” he added.
