*Clear ESN Camp At Okigwe, Neutralise Kidnapper In Owerri
BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja has disclosed that troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State engaged some militia in a fire-fight, killing 10 terrorists.
At a media briefing in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, said the confrontation followed intelligence report that a large number of armed militia were mobilising to attack a community in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State.
According to Buba: “Troops made contact with the violent extremists/militia. Following a fire-fight, troops neutralised 10 insurgents and recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 210 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, five mobile phones and 29 rounds of PKT ammo.”
He said troops also arrested suspected violent extremists and foiled militia attack on locals in Mangu and Bokkos Local Councils, as well as conducted raid operation and foiled kidnap incidents in Sanga, Jema’a and Kauru Local Councils of Kaduna State and well as Riyom Local Council of Plateau State.
He stated: “On January 18, 2024, following credible intelligence reports, troops conducted sting operations and arrested five suspected violent extremists/terrorists in Mangu LGA of Plateau State.
“During the operation, troops recovered five AK47 rifles with 123 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and two motorcycles,”
Buba disclosed that on January 17, 2024, troops responded to information on a large number of armed militia mobilising to attack a community in Bokkos Local Council of Plateau State, while on 18 and 19 January 18and19, troops, with hybrid forces, in a separate operations, raided suspected violent extremists and insurgents hideouts in Sanga and Jama’a Local Council of Kaduna State as well as Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
“During the operations, troops arrested nine suspected violent extremists and kidnappers, recovered four vehicles, one tricycle and substance suspected to be cannabis,” he added.
Also, troops of Operation Whirl Punch, between January 19 and 23, in a separate offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists/insurgents in Kuje and Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akwanga and Nasarawa Local Council of Nasarawa State, as well as Tafa Local Council of Niger State.
He stated: “During the operations, troops neutralised 12 insurgents and arrested six suspected violent extremists and insurgents. Additionally, troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, two locally fabricated guns, four Dane guns, 321 rounds of 7.62mm special, two motorcycles and knives.
“Between January 17 and 20, troops, in a separate operations, conducted fighting patrols in Bwari and Kuje Area Councils of FCT, Abuja. During the operations, troops arrested 10 violent extremists/insurgents and recovered three AK47 rifles, 24 rounds of 7.62mm special, 241 mobile phones, substance suspected to be cannabis and the sum of N7,600.
“On January 21, troops, while on stop and search operation, intercepted and arrested 10 suspected illegal miners in Kuje Area Council of FCT, Abuja.”
In a related development, combined troops of the 82 Division of Nigerian, Navy and Air Force, in conjunction with the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have cleared several camps of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), along Umulolo-Umukele-Amousu and Agbobu in Okigwe Local Council of Imo State.
The troops reportedly stormed and destroyed IPOB-ESN hideouts despite encountering several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) enroute and cordoned-off and searched several buildings used by the group.
A statement by the Nigeria Army said during the search, signs of terrorists activities, occultic and acts of cannibalism by the group were discovered, while the troops also destroyed the group’s IED-making factory and recovered rank badges of two policemen kidnapped along Enugu-Port Harcourt road, as well as Biafran currencies, fake US Dollar bills, Biafran Liberation Army T-shirts and other Biafran insignia, military kit bags, cables used for IED detonation and axes.
Two suspects were arrested, while burnt bodies of policemen were recovered for proper burial.
Also, it said troops on night patrol in Owerri Metropolis thwarted a kidnapping attempt by suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists and engaged the criminals in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon the victim.
Items recovered at the scene include one AK 47 rifle and magazine, a G-3 rifle with mounted magazines and the vehicle used by the criminals.
