General Tukur Buratai, Chief of
Army
General Tukur Buratai, Chief of
Army Staff
Nigerian Army Steps Up Operation Nationwide
With the 2019Yuletide Season fast approaching, the Nigerian Army
has stepped up the tempo of its operations across the country.
Consequently, it is becoming evident that unscrupulous elements
such as the Criminal Insurgents in the NE as well as Bandits,
Cultists, Kidnappers, Armed Robbers and Smugglers amongst others
are effectively denied freedom of action as troops continue to
tighten the noose on them.
Between 25th – 28th September 2019, Nigerian Army troops on
Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Operation Operation MESA and Operation SWIFT
RESPONSE continued to relentlessly combat the activities of
criminals with remarkable successes. The following notable
achievements were recorded during the period.
Operation LAFIYA DOLE
Within the period under review, the gallant troops of the
Nigerian Army deployed in the NE for Operation LAFIYA DOLE
continued to dominate the entire area of operations with aggressive
fighting patrols and ambush operations to find, fix and neutralise
the fleeing BOKO HARAM Criminals/Islamic State West Africa Province
(ISWAP) elements including their marauding informants and logistics
suppliers who are currently in disarray as a result of the troops’
unrelenting aggressive posture. For instance, troops of 25 Task
Force Brigade in conjunction with some vigilantes arrested one
Abubakar Musa, a suspected logistics supplier of the criminal
insurgent sect at Kumsem village in Damboa LGA of Borno State.
Items recovered from the suspect include 12 yards of black fabric
suspected to be used for making of Boko Haram flags, large quantity
of drugs and some groceries.
In a similar operation, the gallant troops of 27 Task Force
Brigade acting on a timely intelligence arrested another logistics
supplier of the criminal insurgents by name Mohammed Isa at a check
point in Maina Hari. During preliminary investigation, the suspect
confessed to his membership of criminal gangof insurgents operating
within Kimba village in Biu LGA of Borno State.
Similarly, the vigilant troops of 231 Battalion in conjunction
with troops of 331 Artillery Regiment deployed on at a check point
along Yola road arrested a commercial driver (Musa Ibrahim), and 7
other passengers believed to be illegal immigrants from a
neighbouring country. Suspects are believed to have links with
ISWAP. Additionally, troops of 7 Division Garrison in a joint
operation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)’s
Tactical Team arrested one notorious logistics supplier of the
criminal insurgent group by name Alhaji Kolomi Modu at Ndollori
area of Ajilari in Maiduguri Municipal Country (MMC). Preliminary
investigations revealed that the suspect has been supplying premium
Motor Spirit (PMS) and other lubricants to ISWAP. In the same vein,
troops of Headquarters Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE intercepted a
truck with Registration Number KA 462 YK conveying 800 bags of
fertilizer along Damaturu – Potiskum road without permit. The
suspected cargo is believed to be used by BH criminals/ISWAP for
the making of Improvised Explosive Devices.
Other arrest of logistics suppliers of the criminal terrorists
group within the period include, one Mohammed Abba AKA Barde
arrested at Maina Hari check point, Mr. Goni Ibrahim Kanumba also
arrested at Unguwar Shuwari Ward in Maiduguri. Preliminary
investigations reveal that the arrested suspect has been having
regular telephone conversations with some BH/ISWAP’s criminal
leadership whom he feeds with information on troops activities.
Operation MESA
The Nigerian Army has equally stepped up the operational
activities of Operation MESA which is being conducted in most of
the 36 States of the Federation to checkmate the activities of
Armed Bandits, cattle rustlers, Kidnappers and other sundry
criminals. In the North Central States of Kaduna and Niger States
for instance, the resilience and doggedness of troops continue to
deny bandits the freedom to perpetrate their criminal activities
across the Region. During the period, troops of 1 Division Garrison
Tactical Headquarters responded to a distress call on banditry
activity at Labi General Area of Birnin Gwari LGA Kaduna State. The
gallant troops intercepted a group of bandits who already kidnapped
7 victims. As troops engaged the bandits in a fire fight, they
abandoned their victims and fled to the bush in disarray with some
of them believed to escape with gunshot wounds. All 7 victims were
rescued and reunited with their families. Similarly, troops of 4
Demo Battalion conducted operations in various villages within
Igabi LGA of Kaduna State where reliable information revealed the
presence of some bandit’s informants. During the operation, one
suspect (Isa Adamu) was arrested at Dallatu village. Preliminary
investigations revealed that the suspect is an informant to bandits
operating within the area. In a similar operation, troops of 31
Artillery Brigade while on aggressive patrol in the forest along
Sarkin Pawa – Mangoro road in Munya LGA of Niger State rescued 2
adult males who were kidnapped on 21st September 2019. The
kidnappers instantly abandoned their victims and fled on sighting
the patrol team. Troops continue to dominate the general area of
the forest to deny the criminals freedom of action. Similarly, a
joint operation comprising the troops of 31 Artillery Brigade, the
Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Security and
Civil Defence Corps raided an illegal mining site at a river bank
bordering the College of Education Minna, Niger State. During the
operation, 98 suspects were arrested while 2 rounds of 7.62mm
special ammunition, 2 Dane guns and other digging implements
including 1 generating set and a Toyota Corolla car were
recovered.
Furthermore, troops of 1 Division Garrison Tactical HQ during a
Search and Rescue operation within the Birnin Gwari general area
rescued one Mohammed Mubarak and 16 other victims comprising of 11
women and 5 children all from Niger State who were kidnapped
earlier by bandits. The victims were later escorted to Pole wire
village in Birnin Gwari LGA where they continued with their
journey. In the same vein, the gallant troops also responded to a
distress call of a kidnap incident at Rikau in Birnin Gwari LGA. In
a hot pursuit, the bandits abandoned their victims and fled into
Rikau forest. Nevertheless, the 3 male victims were rescued and
safely reunited with their families.
To this end, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf
Buratai wishes to restate the commitment of the Nigerian Army
towards providing a safe and conducive environment for all citizens
to legitimately pursue their economic endeavours. Members of the
public are therefore requested to kindly oblige the Nigerian Army
with any information that will assist us in conducting our
operations to rid the society of criminal elements.
AMINU ILIYASU
Colonel
Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator