Troops Kill 39 Terrorists, Arrest 157 Others, Says DHQ

The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that soldiers stationed in different operational zones across the nation have eliminated 39 terrorists and apprehended 157 individuals.

The military high command also said troops rescued 109 kidnapped hostages, arrested 16 perpetrators of oil theft, and recovered 569,400 litres of stolen crude oil, which it said was worth about N765,863,000.00.

The director of Defence Media Operations Maj. – Gen. Edward Buba said this on Thursday, August 31, during a briefing in Abuja.

He said that troops also recovered 55 assorted weapons and 96 ammunition.

Buba said that the military would continue to pursue aggressive operations against violent extremist groups seeking to undermine the security of the country, adding that, “armed forces remain focused on its core mission and would continually make adjustments along the way to better protect citizens, while isolating and annihilating those groups constituting a security nuisance to the country.”

The Defence spokesperson also said that troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 71 dugout pits, 36 boats, 83 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 4 motorcycles, 58 cooking ovens, 5 pumping machines, 3 generators, 3 speedboats and 34 illegal refining sites.

He said: “Also, troops recovered 569,400 liters of stolen crude oil, 486,000 liters of illegally refined AGO and 59,500 liters of PMS.”

On troops operations in the North Central, Buba said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE operating arrested a member of a notorious violent extremist group in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state.

According to him, the operations resulted in the killing of terrorists and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.

He said: “On 22 August 2023, following a tip-off about a member of a violent extremist group suspected of hibernating in Ukum LGA of Benue state. Troops raided the location and made an arrest. The suspect identified as Lubem Atirga Abagu is a member of a notorious violent extremist group led by one Mr Chen. Detailed investigation is ongoing.

“On 23 August 2023, following information of suspected kidnappers hibernating in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba state. Troops conducted a raid, arresting 3 suspects.”

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