The Nigerian Armed Forces have escalated their counter-terrorism efforts, prioritizing the elimination of key terrorist leaders and the disruption of their networks.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja on the activities of troops in the third quarter of 2024, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that significant gains were made between July and September 2024 in ongoing military operations across the country.
During this period, synchronized air and ground offensives by the Nigerian military significantly diminished the capabilities of terror groups.
Over 65 prominent terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants were neutralized in various operations.
Notable figures eliminated include Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, and several others.
In total, the military neutralized 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, the troops recovered a cache of 1,304 weapons and 43,347 rounds of ammunition.
A key focus of the operations was to disrupt the illegal oil trade, with over N13 billion worth of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products seized.
A detailed breakdown of the recovered arms included 688 AK-47 rifles and 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, alongside a variety of other weapons and munitions.
Additionally, 12 million liters of stolen crude oil and millions of liters of illegally refined petroleum products were confiscated, signaling the military’s success in cracking down on oil theft operations.
The military’s ongoing operations have maintained pressure on terrorist groups, with the goal of completely dismantling their infrastructure and eliminating their ability to wage terror attacks.
Major General Buba emphasized that the Armed Forces remain focused on eroding the will of these groups to fight and on safeguarding Nigerian citizens from future threats.
As the military continues its offensive, it is determined to keep attacking any emerging threats, ensuring the safety and security of the nation.
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