By ZAKAA LAZARUS.
The Nigeria Military High Command has said it’s troops have eliminated a notorious terrorist leader Nkwachi Eze also known as Onowu, and several others in week.
The military said, several other criminals were arrested in various theater of operations within the week under review.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye said troops have also apprehended 49 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages.
According to him, ‘during the week under review, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Eight Hundred and Sixty-Nine Million Two Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Five Naira (N869,283,765.00) only.
He said troops have continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats.
He said troops have recorded successes in neutralizing several insurgents, rescued hostages, arresting suspects, and recovering arms ammunition as well as stolen crude oil assets.
” We are committed to sustaining the momentum.
” Our operations have continued across various theatres of operations comprising the North East, North West, North Central South- South and other region where criminals element seeks to disrupt peace and stability.
” We have sustained the momentum in various theatre’s of operations. Troops remain committed to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the safety and security of all citizen.
” Between 3 – 10 April 2025, scores of terrorists were neutralized while suspected others were arrested.
“The breakdown indicates: 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined AGO and 19,500 litres of PMS while 1,600 litres of engine oil were also recovered.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanize pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles.
” Relatedly, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices.
“Additionally, huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also rescued.
“In the last one week, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review.
“On 4 – 9 April 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught on them by our gallant troops.
“Between 4 – 8 April 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Buturam Village Village in Gujba LGA of Yobe state and Mai Dunamari in Kaga LGA of Borno state.
” During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized and others apprehended. They also recovered Ak47 rifles, dan guns, locally fabricated rifles and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as Unexploded Ordinances
” In a well-coordinated operation on from 4 – 10 April 2025 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Municipal Council, Mobbar, Damasak and Konduga LGA of Borno State as well as Geidam and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.
“Troops intercepted 9 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered logistics supplies from them as well as the sum of N235,330.00 only.
“On 4 April 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, came under terrorists’ attack in Gwoza LGA of Borno State. The troops successfully repelled the attack, neutralized several of them and recovered some weapons.
“Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following last week between 4 – 10 April 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact with terrorists in Binji, Gudu, Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Bakori and Kankara LGA of Katsina State.
“They conducted operation in Tsafe and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Augie LGA of Kebbi State.
“During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while some rescued kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons as well as assorted quantities of 7.62mm ammunition, livestock and motorcycles was also recovered.
“Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Binji, Isa and Sabon Birni LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Malumfashi and Matazu LGAs of Katsina State on 4 – 10 April 2025. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while arms and assorted kinds of 7.62mm ammunition and motorcycles as well as rustled cows were recovered from them.
” Similarly, troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 2 suspected Lakurawa terrorists members in Arewa and Tangaza LGAs of Kebbi and Sokoto States on 6 and 9 April 2025. They also recovered weapon, a motorcycle, beverages and the sum of N4,450.00.
“Air Interdiction. During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation FASAN YAMMA conducted multiple air interdiction missions at the stronghold of notorious terrorist kingpin in Zango Hill, Kankara LGA of Katsina State. Battle Dammage Assessment and feedback from the locals revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, while their equipment and structures were destroyed.
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH achieved the following during the week:a. Arrests. From 4 – 7 April 2025, troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 4 suspected criminals in Oredo, Orhionmwon and Ovia South LGAs of Edo State as well as Borgu and Kaiama LGAs of Niger and Kwara States respectively.
” Troops recovered Ak47 rifle, pump action gun, dane gun, double barrel gun and locally fabricated rifle as well as assorted ammunition.
” Vehicle, motorcycles, mobile phones and other dangerous weapons were also recovered from them.
“During the week, troops conducted fighting patrol in Etsako West and Owan West LGAs of Edo State as well as Baruten, Wukari and Karim Lamido LGAs of Kwara and Taraba States respectively.
“During the operations, some extremists/kidnappers were neutralized, while 6 of them were arrested. Recovered from them were AK47 rifles dane gun, unexploded ordnances and extra magazines, motorcycles and mobile phones.
“During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations
“Between 3 – 10 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Wase, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa, Riyom and Jos North LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, our gallant troops neutralized several extremists, arrested some and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Items recovered from the criminals includes AK47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, dane gun, locally made pistol, assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, extra magazines and knives. Vehicles, motorcycles and some cows and the sum of N89,800.00 only were also recovered from them.
“Similarly, on 7 April 2025 troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 4 suspected criminals/kidnapers including a wanted prime suspect identified as Buhari Umar in Toro LGA of Bauchi State while others in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. They also recovered a revolver rifle from the kidnaper who attempted to snatch it back from troop but was neutralized on the process.
“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review.
While on offensive operations, acting on credible intelligence, stormed violent extremists’ hideout in Apa, Gwer West and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Benue State as well as Karim Lamido and Takum LGAs of Taraba State between 4 – 9 April 2025. During the encounter, many extremists were neutralized, while 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. Recovered from them were arms and ammunition as well as vehicle, motorcycles, mobile phones and Boefeng radios.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review.a. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites.
“Troops recovered 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined AGO and 19,500 litres of PMS while 1,600 litres of engine oil was also recovered.
” Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanize pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles.
“Furthermore, 49 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition as well as dynamites were also recovered.
‘Between 4 – 9 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Ughelli North and Sapele LGAs of Delta State as well as Eleme LGA of Rivers State”. He added.
