Military arrests terrorist kingpins in Niger, 51 suspects in Abuja Municipal
Military arrests terrorist kingpins in Niger, 51 suspects in Abuja Municipal
By
Solomon Odeniyi
The Military high command on Thursday said troops arrested two high-profile Islamic State for West African Province terrorists at Tafa and Suleja Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The terrorist kingpins were arrested during clearance operations conducted by troops in collaboration with other security operatives on September 21.
Addressing journalists on the activities of the military in the last week, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward said that the troops, during one of their operations at the Abuja Municipal Area Council, arrested 51 suspects and recovered three vehicles.
He said, “On September 21, 2023, troops in conjunction with sister agency personnel, raided terrorists’ hideouts in Tafa and Suleja LGAs of Niger State. During the operations, troops arrested two high-profile ISWAP terrorists.
“Also, on September 20, 2023, troops on patrol raided criminal hideouts in AMAC of FCT. During the operation, troops arrested 51 suspects and impounded three vehicles for various offences. All have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”
He said a total of 191 terrorists were killed while 184 were arrested in the last week.
Buba said, “About ongoing operations in the last week, the military neutralised 191 terrorists. Troops then arrested 184 terrorists and rescued 91 kidnapped hostages. ”
He noted that a total of 104 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered to troops across theatres of operation.
Buba said troops denied oil theft of an estimated sum of N388,469,650 and 22 suspected oil thieves.
“Troops in the Niger Delta discovered and destroyed 38 dugout pits, 21 boats, 57 storage tanks, three tapping hoses, four drum receivers, 89 cooking ovens, six pumping machines, three 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 added.
Buba, however, noted that the military was aware of the new antics of the terrorist groups, stating that the troops would not be disturbed.
He said, “The armed forces remain unperturbed by the evil machinations of these extremist groups. Their nefarious tactics have been exposed for what it truly is, which is a mere ploy to self-enrichment through killings. “
Credit: Punch Newspaper
