The Armed Forces of Nigeria have reaffirmed their commitment to the enduring defeat of terrorist groups across the nation, aiming to dismantle their military capabilities and ensure the safety of citizens.
Addressing newsmen on the activities of troops in the past week across the six geopolitical zones of the country the Director Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba stated that the troops will not relent on their efforts until all kidnapped victims across the country are rescued.
He explained that in ongoing counterinsurgency effort, the armed forces remain resolute in achieving this objective despite facing complexities inherent to such conflicts.
He further stated recent incidents of citizen abductions in the Northeast, Northwest, and Northcentral theatres of operations have been reported.
These abductions, perpetrated by ruthless terrorist groups, underscore the urgent need to address these entities as terrorists, not bandits.
The hostages, held against their will in remote locations, represent a challenging but surmountable situation.
Despite the difficulty of accessing the hostage locations, the military remains undeterred in its efforts. These hostage situations, while sensitive, highlight the terrorists’ desperation to evade military confrontation.
Troops have continuously pursued and neutralized terrorist leaders, commanders, and foot soldiers, significantly disrupting their operations.
General Buba hilighted that in the latest operations, troops have neutralized 213 terrorists and arrested 216 others.
Additionally, 67 perpetrators of oil theft have been apprehended, and 26 kidnapped hostages have been rescued. In the Niger Delta region, troops have thwarted oil theft attempts, preventing the loss of significant sums.
The recovery of assorted weapons and ammunition further demonstrates the military’s effectiveness in countering terrorism.
Additionally, significant infrastructure used by criminal elements has been destroyed, including dugout pits, boats, storage tanks, and illegal refining sites.
Despite the challenges posed by the hostage situation, the military assures the public of its unwavering commitment to securing the safe return of the hostages.
Leveraging international partnerships for support and intelligence, the armed forces are actively pursuing all available options to resolve the situation.
General Buba urged citizens to exercise caution regarding information from terrorist groups and their sympathizers, particularly on social media platforms as the dissemination of propaganda and misinformation serves to undermine national security interests and must be resisted.
The Director Defence Media Operations stated that recent attempts by terrorists to manipulate public perception through viral posts have been exposed and such acts of desperation only serve to highlight the terrorists’ diminishing influence and their resort to deceitful tactics.
General Buba stressed that as the armed forces continue to make significant strides in degrading terrorist capabilities, citizens are reminded to remain vigilant and refrain from inadvertently aiding the enemies of the state.
He maintained that celebrating acts of terror is not only misguided but also contrary to the values of peace and security that all Nigerians strive to uphold.
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