Aggressive Air Onslaughts in N/East Kill 20
B’Haram
GENERAL UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FROM 13 –
19 AUGUST 2020
1. This morning, I will be briefing you on operations of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies across the
Country, in line with our weekly schedule. The various operations
have progressed satisfactorily in all the theatres from 13-19
August 2020.
NORTH-EAST ZONE
2. The troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have continued to exhibit
sustained resilience in the fight against terrorism in the North
East zone of the Country. During the period under review, as
troops successfully conducted aggressive clearance operations and
dominate the theatres of operation, the Air Task Force of Operation
LAFIYA DOLE conducted comprehensive precision strikes, to mark the
launching of its subsidiary Operation HAIL STORM.
3. Several air interdiction operations were conducted at
identified Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State of West
Africa Province (ISWAP) targets in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest
areas of Borno State. These attacks were conducted at Tumbuma Baba,
on 16 August 2020, one of the Island settlements on the fringes of
the Lake Chad. Additionally, the logistics facilities of BHT at
Bukar Meram on the fringes of the Lake Chad were also destroyed on
17 August 2020. The attack on the locations scored devastating hits
on the settlement, killing not fewer than 20 terrorists and
destroying their structures. Several BHT and ISWAP commanders were
also killed and some of their dwellings destroyed at Boboshe, a
village along the river line on the eastern part of the Sambisa
Forest.
4. Meanwhile, troops of Army Super Camp 9, on 16 August 2020,
engaged BHTs and ISWAP elements during clearance operations at
Dikwa LGA of Borno State. During the operation, 2 terrorists were
neutralized while one AK 47 rifle and 8 rounds of 7.62mm (special)
were recovered. Similarly, troops of Strong Response Area, Pulka
while on a fighting patrol, encountered and engaged BHTs/ISWAP
elements along Road Pulka-Firgi-Banki Junction in Gwoza LGA of
Borno State. In the process, a terrorist was neutralized while 2
fully loaded AK 47 rifles, two 36 hand grenades, one motorcycle and
IED materials were recovered by the troops. Similarly, troops of
144 Battalion on ambush operation encountered and engaged
BHTs/ISWAP elements at Wagga Mangoro and Wagga Lawal in the same
LGA. The terrorists fled due to superior fire power of the troops.
In another encounter troops of 151 Task Force Battalion neutralized
2 terrorists along Road Banki-Pulka in Bama LGA of Borno State.
5. Deducing from these results within the period, it is clear that,
troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria are resolute in their
endeavor to end the BHT/ISWAP menace in the North East.
NORTH-WEST ZONE
6. In continuation of intensive clearance operation in the
North-West zone of the country, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI
have continued to record tremendous successes against the bandits.
Within the period under review, in a combined special clearance
operation, troops of operation SAHEL SANITY destroyed 12 bandit
camps at Yobe Baranda in Batsari LGA of Katsina State. Three armed
bandits were also neutralized in the process while others escaped
with various degrees of gunshot wounds. Equally, troops of
Operation SAHEL SANITY deployed at Forward Operating Base Sabon
Birni LGA of Sokoto State on 15 August 2020 after an undercover
operation successfully smashed a notorious illegal arms smuggling
syndicate who specialize in massive arms supply to bandits in the
North West from across the international borders. The three
suspects all Nigerien citizens were intercepted at Dantudu in
Mailailai District of Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State with 6 AK 47
Rifles, 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2,415 rounds of 7.62mm Special
ammunition concealed in various parts of their vehicle. It
therefore goes to show that some of the security challenges in the
country have external influence. The suspects are currently in
custody undergoing preliminary investigation before being handed
over to the prosecuting agency.
7. These successes recorded within the period are evident of the
troop’s determination, resilience and commitment to end the
security challenges bedeviling the North West zone. Farming, social
and economic activities are once again flourishing in the North
West zone. Interestingly, a total of 14 bandits were killed from
this zone of the country for the period reviewed.
SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE
8. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have continued with the
aggressive fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and
illegal oil bunkering in the zone with attendant successes. Within
the period under review, Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER patrol team
discovered an illegal refining site at Okorosa Creek. The site had
a reservoir laden with an estimated 943.47 barrels of product
suspected to be crude oil. The site was deactivated. Similarly, on
14 August 2020, another site was discovered at Yalama community in
Akokoturo LGA Rivers State. The site, which had 2 metal reservoirs
laden with an estimated 150,000 litres of illegally refined AGO was
deactivated.
9. Relatedly, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship DELTA deployed
onboard the Ocean Marine Solutions Houseboat along Yeye Creek in
Burutu LGA of Delta State visited a previously deactivated Illegal
Refining Site around Fonkro Community. The site was observed to
have been reactivated and had 6 ovens, 7 surface metal storage
tanks and 3 dugout pits cumulatively laden with about 120,000
litres of product suspected to be illegally refined AGO and 566.08
barrels of product suspected to be stolen crude oil. The storage
facilities and product were dismantled while the site was earmarked
for swamp buggy operation. Additionally, on 15 Aug 20, at Ikpemu
Community along Jones Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State, the
patrol team intercepted and impounded a large wooden boat laden
with about 132,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally
refined AGO.
10. Gleaning from these, it is clear that, troops of the Armed
Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies working together
remain committed to the fight against economic sabotage.
NORTH CENTRAL ZONE
11. In the North-Central zone, troops have continued to sustain
intensive clearance operations which have yielded remarkable
successes. Within the period under review, troops of Operations
SAFE HAVEN, THUNDER-STRIKE AND WHIRL STROKE conducted several
ambushes, raids and clearance patrols at various locations in the
zone.
12. Notably, on 13 August 2020, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN
intercepted and nabbed 5 suspected armed robbers at a snap
checkpoint established at Makera. The suspects were arrested along
with a red Vectra car with registration number PLATEAU BF-335-JJN
used in perpetrating their heinous crimes. The criminals confessed
to be members of a syndicate who specialize in robbing unsuspecting
passengers along the highways. The suspects are being profiled
after which they will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for
further action. Troops also apprehended 2 armed robbers following
credible intelligence report on their activities in Rukkaya village
of Mavo district in Wase LGA of Plateau State.
13. Additionally, the Air Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE
equally neutralized several armed bandits at their camp in the
Kuduru Forest area of Kaduna State on 13 August 2020. The feat was
achieved through air strikes carried out on the heels of
intelligence reports indicating the convergence of members of an
Ansaru Terrorist Sect-linked bandits group, led by one Mallam Abba,
at the location. Aerial surveillance missions conducted over the
area also observed some bandits, wielding weapons in the forest.
Several of the bandits were killed as the attack aircraft strafed
the area, while others attempting to escape were mopped-up in
follow-on attacks.
14. Meanwhile, troops of Nigerian Navy Ship LUGARD stationed at
Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State, on 15 August 2020 arrested 2 suspected
armed bandits. The arrests were made at Abarkponi Guest House in
Okpo Community of Olamaboro LGA following a tip-off. Items
recovered from the suspects include a service pistol, charms and
GSM handsets. The suspects and recovered items were handed over to
the Nigeria Police for further investigation and prosecution.
15. Relatedly, on 18 August 2020, troops of Sector 2 Operation
WHIRL STROKE acting on credible intelligence on the location of a
hideout being used by some armed militia linked to wanted Benue
militia leader Terwase Akwaza aka Gana around Abaji in Katsina Ala
LGA of Benue State, swiftly conducted a dawn raid operation on the
identified hideout popularly known as small London located at Amafu
village. Contact was made with the armed militia men, troops
swiftly responded with superior fire forcing them to flee in
disarray into the surrounding forest. One of the wanted kingpins,
Mr Atsor AKA smallie was neutralized during the encounter while
others escaped. Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle and 17 rounds of
7.62mm special ammunition during the operation.
16. As part Of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities,
Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN on 12 August 2020 commissioned a
total of 6 hand pump boreholes at various communities in Plateau
State. Three of the boreholes were commissioned at Mazat, a Fulani
community in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State, Mungi and Shimilang
communities in Mangu LGA. The other 3 boreholes were commissioned
at 332 AR barracks (the location of FOB Shendam) and Kuka and
Aningo villages in Shendam LGA of Plateau State. The projects were
part of Operation SAFE HAVEN CIMIC activities aimed at enhancing
cordial relations with host communities in the state towards
achieving total peace on the Plateau.
17. Furthermore, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN also held
stakeholders meeting with Fulani leaders at Gidan Ado, as well as
Maiyanga, Hura, Zirishe and Dundu community leaders, all in Riyom
LGA Plateau State. Similarly, meetings were held with JNI (Jama’atu
Nasril Islam) and CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) leaders in
Barkin Ladi LGA, and also with community leaders at Fadan Karshi
village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
18. The Military High Command commends all the gallant troops of
the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved
in various operations across the country for their steadfastness,
doggedness and commitment. They are equally encouraged to remain
resolute and decisive in curtailing the activities of all criminal
elements in the country. Members of the general public are hereby
reassured that the Nigerian Military will continue to tackle the
security challenges to ensure that normalcy is attained in all the
geo political zones of the Country. However their support is highly
solicited in the area of providing credible information to assist
out operations. Thank you.
JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
20 August 2020