Again, Over 400 Darul Salam Terrorists Surrender

Again, Over 400 Darul Salam Terrorists
Surrender

UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FROM 27 AUGUST TO 2
SEPTEMBER 2020

1. The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have
continued with the major operations across the country with
significant successes. Accordingly, this brief will cover the
period from 27 August to 2 September 2020.

NORTH-EAST ZONE
2. In the North-East zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other
security agencies have continued to sustain the tempo and display
resilience in their efforts to forestall the activities of Boko
Haram/ISWAP criminal elements. Within the period under review,
troops have maintained clearance operations to dominate the Joint
Operational Area and constant Intelligence Surveillance
Reconnaissance missions as well as intensive air strikes. These
have considerably put the activities of the terrorists’ in-check.
In addition to these kinetic operations, the Armed Forces of
Nigeria have not relented in its non-kinetic operations in various
parts of the North-East zone.

2. Within the week under review, the gallant troops working
together with other security agencies conducted several clearance
operations and repelled BHT/ISWAP attacks on own troops and
civilian locations in Yobe State. The operations led to the
neutralization of 3 BHT/ISWAP fighters and recovery of caches of
arms and ammunition. In the same vein, 6 terrorists and armed
bandits were arrested and currently being profiled for necessary
action. Meanwhile, as the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE
intensifies air strikes against terrorists’ targets in Borno State,
some compounds housing BHT/ISWAP fighters were destroyed leading to
the elimination of scores at Kaza along Gulumba Gana – Kumshe axis
in Borno State on 1 September 2020.

3. Gentlemen of the press, as you are all aware; the Borno State
Government has remained resolute in its efforts to resettle the
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State back to their home
communities. In spite of the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminal elements’
attempts to thwart its efforts, the State Government is determined
to resettle more of the IDPs to their home communities. The Armed
Forces of Nigeria, as always, will support the State Government in
its effort to resettle its citizens back to their various
communities and ensure they go about their businesses unperturbed.
This is considerably, an evidence of gradual restoration of
normalcy in some parts of the North-East zone of Nigeria.

NORTH-CENTRAL ZONE
4. 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 AND WHIRL STROKE conducted raids, ambushes and clearance
patrols at various locations which resulted in appreciable
successes. These ongoing kinetic efforts were supported by Civil
Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities such as Reconciliation and
Conciliation efforts in the form of stakeholders’ meetings amongst
the various ethnic groups in the zone, amongst others.

5. Notably, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, within the period
under review, following aggressive intensive kinetic operations at
identified bandits’ enclaves at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area
of Nasarawa State. The successful operation resulted in the
neutralization of several bandits, not less than 410 members of the
Darul Salam Terrorists group, surrendered to the gallant troops and
other security agencies deployed. This was followed by a robust
clearance patrol around the same area which resulted in a raid on a
Darul Salam terrorists’ bomb-making factory. In the course of the
operation, troops recovered several Improvised Explosive Device
making materials, 6 rocket launcher bombs, 10 locally made hand
grenades and one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb fuse. The camp was
subsequently destroyed. In the follow-up operations, troops
mopped-up additional 290 terrorists’ family members, as well as the
destruction of their camps and hideouts between Koton Karfe in Kogi
and parts of Nasarawa States.

6. It is worthy of mention that, these efforts are evidence of
the redoubled efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other
security agencies in securing the territorial integrity of our dear
country, most especially following recent alerts by the United
States Africa Command on the incursion of armed bandits and
terrorists into the country.

7. Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted a robust
night patrol within Angwan Duruwa area in Barkin Ladi Local
Government Area of Plateau state. During the patrol 5 suspected
drug peddlers were arrested with large quantity of substances
suspected to be Cannabis Sativa and other illicit drugs. The
suspects were duly profiled and have been handed over to the
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further
action.

8. Furthermore, on 28 August 2020, troops in conjunction with
personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) Plateau State
Command, conducted a raid at Unguwan Chiroma in Wase Local
Government Area of Plateau State and arrested 2
kidnappers/gunrunners with various blacksmith tools used in locally
fabricating weapons. Both suspects and items recovered have been
handed over to the DSS for further action.

9. As part Of Civil Military Cooperation activities within the
period, Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN held stakeholders meeting
with community leaders in various parts of Plateau state. Areas
covered include: Bassa, Jos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local
Government Areas of Plateau State, and Jama’a Local Government Area
of Kaduna State.

SOUTH WEST ZONE
10. In the South West zone, troops of Operation AWATSE have
continued to intensify the fight against pipeline vandals, economic
saboteurs and other criminal elements. Within the period under
review, Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT conducted patrols of creeks and
discovered 350 litres of Premium Motor Spirit contained in seven
jerrycans of 50 litres hidden in the bush at Akimbo and Orita on
the Atlas Cove Island. Similarly, the Base discovered 600 litres of
PMS contained in 12 jerrycans of 50 litres hidden in a bush at
Akaraba.

NORTH-WEST ZONE
11. In the North-West zone, Armed Forces of Nigeria and other
security agencies have continued to build on recent successes
against armed bandits operating in the zone. Within the period
under review, troops of Operations HADARIN DAJI and SAHEL SANITY
carried out aggressive clearance operations against armed bandits.
Most importantly was on 28 August 2020, troops of Operation SAHEL
SANITY deployed at Mara laid ambush on suspected bandits who
attempted to invade Gobirawa village but were repelled by combined
effort of troops and local vigilante. During the ambush, troops
made contact with the armed bandits and engaged them with superior
fire power neutralizing 2 in the process while others escaped with
gunshot wounds. Additionally, in the course of the exploitation,
troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle and one Motorcycle from the
fleeing bandits. In the same vein, troops deployed at Zakka acting
on credible intelligence arrested 3 suspected armed bandits.
Suspects were identified by locals to be members of a syndicate
terrorizing the general area. During preliminary investigation, the
suspects confessed to their involvements in recent cattle rustling
and other criminal activities at Kwaya, Sabon Birni and Baure
villages. All arrested suspects are undergoing interrogation while
effort is ongoing to apprehend other criminals in the general
area.

12. Furthermore, AFN troops carried out several Civil Military
Cooperation (CIMIC) activities at various communities within the
North-West zone. These efforts include: Renovation of schools,
drilling and completion of boreholes at Zurmi Local Government Area
of Zamfara State. Plans are also underway to renovate more schools
in the zone.

13. The general public are once more assured of troops’
commitment to safety of lives and property within the zone. They
are also encouraged to continue to avail the troops with timely and
credible information that will assist them in the operation.

SOUTH-SOUTH ZONE
14. In the South-South zone, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE have
continued to degrade the activities of economic saboteurs in the
zone. In continuation of the subsidiary Operation SILENT HEAT, on
31 August 2020, Forward Operating Base IBAKA patrol team, while on
routine patrol around Parrot Island and Ikang creek respectively
intercepted and arrested 3 medium sizes wooden boats laden with 796
bags of 50kg of foreign parboiled rice smuggled in from the
Republic of Cameroon. Relatedly, between 27 and 30 August 2020, the
patrol team also intercepted and arrested 5 medium size wooden
boats laden with 120 drums of product suspected to be Premium Motor
Spirit (PMS) with 9 suspects around Effiat Waterways and James Town
respectively. The suspects and items recovered are currently in
custody and will soon be handed over to the appropriate prosecuting
agency.

15. Similarly, within the week under review, Nigerian Navy Ship
PATHFINDER patrol team located and dismantled an illegal refining
site at Busonomei Kiriyo. The site had a metal reservoir laden with
an estimated 578 barrels of crude oil which was impounded. In
another development, troops of 16 Brigade Garrison on 27 August
2020, discovered and destroyed an illegal refinery at Abbissa in
Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

16. The Military High Command appreciates the general public for
their cooperation in providing credible information which has so
far facilitated the successes of these operations. Furthermore, it
enjoins the general public to be proactive in the provision of
timely information. This is very necessary for enhancement of
operational activities. The Armed Forces of Nigeria assures that
these offensives against the common enemies of this Nation will not
cease until normalcy is restored to all the troubled zones of the
Country. Thank you.

JOHN ENENCHE
Major General
Coordinator
Defence Media Operations
Defence Headquarters
3 September 2020