Maryam Aminu
In a determined effort to maintain peace and stability, the Nigerian Armed Forces have significantly advanced in their ongoing counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations across various regions of the country.
This week’s operations have dealt considerable blows to terrorist factions, dismantling their strategic objectives and weakening their operational capabilities.
According to Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, the military has made significant strides in neutralizing insurgent forces.
“The troops are not only denying these terrorists the ability to carry out their goals but are also finding innovative ways to adapt to operational challenges. Flexibility and operational innovation remain key elements of these successes,” the statement read.
He stated that the operations in the South East continue to yield positive results.
In a daring sting operation, troops from Forward Operating Base (FOB) Orsu arrested a key figure within the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The suspect, identified as Pius Iguh, a founding leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Orsu, Imo State, is now in custody, marking a major victory for the military in curbing IPOB’s activities.
In a related operation, troops stationed at FOB Amaruku in Abia State successfully apprehended Emmanuel Onwugu, another prominent IPOB commander, in Mbano Local Government Area.
These arrests are critical in disrupting IPOB’s chain of command and their militant activities.
In a further display of force, a joint military-security operation in Abia State led to the capture of notorious cult leader Ifeanyi Rock along with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu. The elimination of such threats continues to bolster efforts to restore peace in the region.
Additionally, during the week under review, troops recorded significant victories on various fronts:
140 terrorists were neutralized, and 135 individuals involved in various criminal activities were arrested.
He further disclosed that 76 kidnapped hostages were rescued, and 18 oil thieves were apprehended.
Troops also thwarted oil theft attempts worth over N1.75 billion in the South-South region.
The military operations also led to the recovery of a vast cache of weapons and ammunition, further weakening the operational strength of terrorist groups. Among the recovered items were:
241 assorted weapons, including 141 AK-47 rifles, a PKT gun, and 17 fabricated rifles.
Others include 3,254 rounds of ammunition, consisting of various calibers of bullets, alongside vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and over N79 million in cash.
Furthermore, in the Niger Delta region, troops discovered and destroyed multiple illegal refining sites and equipment used for oil theft, recovering over 1.1 million liters of stolen crude oil and 557,210 liters of illegally refined AGO (diesel).
The military assured the public that they remain steadfast in their mission to eliminate terrorism and restore peace across Nigeria.
“We will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and in their hiding places,” Major General Buba emphasized, urging citizens to view themselves as partners in this national security effort.
As the military presses forward, they call on Nigerians to remain vigilant and refrain from providing any support direct or indirect to terrorist activities, reminding the public that their collaboration is crucial in extinguishing the flames of terrorism.
Africa Security Investigation News 