By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja.
In a sustained operation to strangulate the activities of terrorists and apprehend terrorist arms and logistics suppliers, troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies, acting on credible intelligence, have captured 15 terrorist Gun runners and logistics suppliers and neutralized one, in an encounter.
The operations, conducted across various locations in the country, also led to the recovery of arms, ammunition, and substantial logistics.
On 30 August 2024, troops conducted a raid on terrorist gun runners and logistic suppliers at Mararaba Donga and Manya village in Donga and Takum Local Government Areas of Taraba State.
The operation, executed with precision, resulted in the arrest of 5 suspects. The troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 2 single-barrel guns, 2 dane guns, one rifle butt, 61 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition and 8 live cartridges.
Other items seized by the troops include 2 extra AK-47 rifle magazines, one pistol holster, one magazine holster, one pair of handcuffs, 3 daggers, one police helmet, one axe, one point of sale (POS) machine and 10 mobile phones.
In Yobe State, troops have arrested 3 Boko Haram logistic suppliers at Jimbal Village of Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
During preliminary investigation, the suspects revealed that they had been in the business for more than two years, evading security checks by collaborating with some local vigilantes in the area.
Items recovered from the suspects include 3 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, a large quantity of motorcycle tyres, numerous spare parts, and a significant quantity of drugs. Troops also seized rolls of fabrics used by terrorists to sew uniforms and the sum of Forty-eight thousand (N48,000.00) naira.
In another operation in Kaduna State, troops have arrested 4 terrorist gun runners and logistic suppliers at Rijana village in Chikun Local Government Area. Troops recovered 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 3 mobile phones from the suspects.
The troops also found One Hundred Thousand (N100,000) naira worth of recharge cards and the sum of One million, five hundred and thirty-two thousand, nine hundred naira (N1,532,900.00) on the suspects.
In another sting operation, vigilant troops deployed in Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State neutralized a notorious kidnapper belonging to a syndicate that has been terrorizing commuters around Ubia community. The troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one semi-automatic pump-action gun, and 18 live cartridges.
In a separate operation, troops deployed to Plateau State have apprehended 3 wanted kidnap suspects at Kabong community in Jos South Local Government Area. The troops recovered one fabricated pistol and live a cartridge from the suspects.
The Chief of Army Staff, while commending the troops for their resilience, dedication and vigilance in executing these operations, emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of the offensives to ensure the continued safety and security of the nation.
He noted that the Nigerian Army remains committed to eradicating terrorism and associated crimes towards ensuring peace and stability across the country.
