*Troops kill 20 terrorists, rescue 2 Chibok schoolgirls
By KEMI KASUMU
A cheering news coming from the Defence Headquarters in Nigeria has it that 30 terrorists, who ambushed troops of the Guards Brigade in the Bwari area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on Sunday, have been neutralised.
The military personnel were attacked after being ambushed on their way returning from the Nigerian Law School, where they had gone to discuss security issues with management of the school. Two officers, unfortunately, paid the supreme price as they were ambushed and killed in the process.
However, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, during a Bi-Weekly news conference on military operations on Thursday in Abuja, said the operation was conducted by troops of Seven Guards Battalion and 167 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with the air component of “Operation Whirl Punch” between Sunday and Tuesday.
According to him, the troops successfully cleared Kawu and Ido villages, neutralising the terrorists and destroying their enclave and hideout.
A detailed report has it that this disclosure was just as the Defence headquarters disowned a viral voice note trending in the social media claiming to be that of a soldier who survived the Terrorists attack on troops of the Presidential Guards Brigade in Bwari by terrorists which led to death of six soldiers including a Captain and Lieutenant during the operation by the terrorists in an ambush.
In a viral video, the soldier noted that following their deployment to Bwari area on account of intelligence that Boko Haram terrorists were planning to attack the Nigerian Law School, the troops were tracking the terrorists, who were shifting base until they got to a stream/river and troops artillery equipment/gun trucks could not cross over.
The soldier further disclosed that the terrorist’s succeeded in the ambush because the soldiers left their mobile artillery equipment and gun trucks, crossed the river in search of the terrorists, who had already positioned themselves in several parts of the bush.
However, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko while briefing the media on military operations and tension in Abuja deployments over terrorists and bandit’s attacks disclosed that the person in the viral voice note alleging so many things was an unknown soldier without a name nor identity and so should be ignored.
He said the action of the military authorities in going after the terrorists in Bwari after intelligence of their plans showed that issues of tackling security challenges were being taking seriously.
“You now know that the military is not sleeping. The soldiers were in that bush for about 2 weeks. They were not going for a tea party. It is because they were trying to seek and find these terrorists that this incident happened.
Onyeuko said the troops of 7 Guards Battalion and 176 Battalion conducted the operation n junction with the air component of Operation Whirl Punch adding that the clearance patrol around Bwari general area lasted between 24 – 26 July 2022.
“Ground troops also recovered 6 motorcycles, 2 AK47 rifles, 1 fully loaded LMG magazine amongst others during mob up”.
He assured members of the public especially the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja and its environments not to panic over the recent security breaches witnessed in the country as the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies were tackling the security challenges with a view to ending insurgency activities in the affected areas.
Major General Onyeuko added that, “The hierarchy of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wishes to reassure Nigerians of its commitment and pact with all Nigerians.
“With the recent operation carried out between 23 and 28 this month, we wish to assure residents of Abuja in particular that we are undaunted and unrelenting in our efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“People should go about their normal businesses as their safety is guaranteed. The support and cooperation of all Nigerians are hereby solicited as security is everybody’s business”.
Troops kill 20 terrorists, rescue 2 Chibok schoolgirls
Speaking further, the DMO said troops in the North East killed 20 terrorists in confrontation with BHT/ISWAP terrorists during a confrontation along Kwang – Kilakasa road, Monguno, Gajiran adding that troops further exploited the area and recovered 6 AK47 rifles, 3 bicycles, 1 Toyota Landcruiser van, 3 tyres, 490 rounds of 108mm, 274 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, metal links, 5 magazines, 2 Improvised Explosive Device cylinders and 100 liters of Premium Motor Spirit among others items.
“Troops on 25 July 2022 rescued 4 women with children at Aulari in Borno State, while 2 were the list confirmed to be Chibok girls named Hanatu Musa and Kauna Sarah Luka who are on serial 7 and 38 of the missing Chibok girls.
“Accordingly, a total of 2, 016 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families comprising of 360 adult males, 580 adult females and 1,076 children surrendered to own troops at various locations in the North East theatre of Operation.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke on 16 July 2022 arrested 2 notorious arms dealers, Mr. Samuel Kwanu and Mr Ede Umar Yisa whom were said to have delivered weapons to one Mallam Saidu and some bandits in Gidan Bawa village.
“Items recovered from the suspects include; 2 magazines of 6 7.62mm special, 1 Uzzi rifle among others.
“On same day acting on intelligence on kidnapper’s activities along Panda road linking Ayewawa and Dere in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and Kampani Sabon Gari village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State, troops of Operations Whirl Stroke and Safe Haven rescued 6 kidnapped victims and recovered 1 motorcycle. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to the relevant authorities.
Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke responded to information on bandit’s activities at Chito and Maraba Ukyonugu villages both in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
“Troops neutralized 6 bandits, destroyed criminal hideouts/camps and recovered 18 motorcycles. Troops also conducted operations along Road Nasme – Akpanaja – Ondori, Road Nasme – Antie – Ondori, Rukubi and Kekura villages in Doma and Awe Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State.
“During the operations, troops arrested 8 suspected cattle rustlers and cultists. Items recovered include; 2 motorcycles, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 3 mobile phones and the sum of One Hundred Fifty Naira (N148,650.00) amongst others. All recovered items were handed over to the Nigeria Police Daudu Division for further action.
“On 20 July 2022, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested Mr Awal Jumba a suspected kidnap kingpin at Vokti Mungi in Gindiri District Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. While enroute the barracks, Mr Jumba attempted to escape and he was neutralized. Item recovered include 2 motorcycles and 1 gionee L800 amongst other.
“Relatedly, troops in conjunction with vigilantes on 24 July 2022 arrested 3 suspected bandits Commanders; Mr. Julius Simon (alias Bagga 37yrs), Mr. Wolta Zambai (45yrs) and Mr. Iliya Peter (alias Boubok 27yrs) at Shimankar village, Shendam Local Government Area Plateau State. Suspects confessed to be involved in buying/selling ammunitions. Suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.
“Items recovered include; 3 mobile phones and N5,600 cash amongst others. On the same day, troops arrested 2 kidnappers; Mr. Musa Usman (27yrs) and Mr. Adam Mohammed (25yrs) at Barkin Ladi, Plateau State. Suspects confessed to have carried out several kidnapping activities including the kidnap of one Master Jeremiah Elijah, a 6yrs on 21 July 2022.
“In the North West, troops of Operations Hadarin Daji on 27 July 2022 responded to a distress call from Bayi village in Tsefe Local Government Area of Zamfara on banditry activities. Troops trailed bandits to one Alhaji Bello Dan Iya’s residence and neutralized one bandit. Items recovered include; 1 AK47 rifle, 1 magazine, 4 rounds of 7.62mm special, 1 MPs and 1 sachet of marijuana amongst others.
“Earlier, on 25 July 2022, troops engaged one suspected bandit on motorcycle while commuting bush path along Gidan Garba, Magami Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Troops recovered 1 AK47 rifle and 2 pairs of woodland camouflage. All recovered items are in own custody.
In the South-South, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Delta Safe in the conduct of operation Octopus Grip conducted operational activities in the creeks, communities notably Madangho, Kokoye and jones creek in Delta State, Obi Sagbama village and Debu creek in Bayelsa State were patrolled. Also, troops conducted patrol in Awoba, Cawthorne Channel, Boning Channel, Asaramatu in River State.
“Consequently, troops discovered and destroyed 80 illegal refining site, 60 wooden boats, 316 storage tanks, 262 ovens and 87 dugout pits. Troops also recovered 9 speed boats, 15 outboard engines, 19 pumping machines and 17 vehicles.
“Furthermore, 27 pipeline vandals were arrested while a total of Five Million One Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand Five Hundred (5,159,500) liters of substance suspected to be crude oil and One Million Four Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand (1,432,000) liters of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered. All arrested economic saboteurs and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.
“The Statistic above shows a significant loss to the economy of the Country. It has a street value of about Two Billion, Five Hundred and Thirty-Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy-One Thousand Five Hundred Forty-Three Naira Eight Kobo (N2,534,771,543.08).
“However, the number of arrested individuals have also increased and could reduce the illegal activities of these of oil thieves. Operation Delta Safe has therefore sustained it efforts to ensure relative safe and peaceful operations environment in the Niger Delta.”
