Soldiers Kill Scores Of Terrorists, Bandits, Destroy Camps, Arms In 3 Weeks – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that
counterinsurgency soldiers have killed scores of bandits,
terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups disturbing the
peace of the country between May 1 and 20.

The troops are reported to have destroyed several bandits camps,
arms, ammunitions and other weapons belonging to the criminals and
rescuing several persons held hostage.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations Brigadier-General
Bernard Onyeuko, made this known at a media briefing on update of
military operations conducted between May 1 and 20, by personnel of
the Nigerian Armed Forces and the security agencies across the
country.

The DMO briefing is the first since the Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS), General Lucky Irabor, assumed duty.

Onyeuko said the troops arrested some bandits/kidnappers
informants and collaborators in different parts of the country and
prevented activities of economic saboteurs engaged in oil bunkering
and forestalled other criminal activities. He said large large
caches of arms and ammunition, as well as equipment, vehicles and
livestock, were recovered within the period under review.

His statement reads:
‘I am delighted to welcome you again to the Defence Headquarters
for updates on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria. Though you may not have heard much from us in the past few
months in terms of operational efforts of the military and other
security agencies; I must state that, a lot have been going on in
the various theatres of operations across the country. Recall that
the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs have conducted
several operational visits to the various theatres of operation.
They have been interacting with commanders, troops and other
stakeholders in various theatres. Also, a Security Summit was held
in March 2021 at the National Defence College with relevant
stakeholders in attendance. In accordance with the theme, the
Summit was aimed at promoting understanding and collaboration of
stakeholders and key players on the kinetic approach that is
expected to facilitate public support for kinetic action in Counter
Terrorism and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) operations in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs also
visited the 6 geo-political zones and had consultations with
Government Officials, traditional and religious leaders and various
interest groups for the purpose of sensitization on the current
security challenges facing the country. These engagements were
aimed at ensuring that the Military High Command comes up with
improved ways and means of tackling the myriad of security
challenges across the Country in partnership with other
stakeholders.

‘In the same vein, on 5 May 2021, the Chief of Defence Staff and
Service Chiefs had interaction with senior media executives in
“Open Ears Press Dialogue”. As you are aware, some topical security
issues were enumerated and discussed extensively during the
interaction with the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs.
Sequel to that, we are now resuming our usual updates on the
unrelenting and committed efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria
and other security agencies in tackling security challenges facing
our dear nation. Today’s update will cover the combined operational
efforts of the land, maritime and air components across the country
between 1 and 20 May 2021. These operational efforts of the
Nigerian military are intended to achieve sustainable peace and to
ensure normalcy returns to all troubled zones of our dear
Country.

‘Within the period in focus, troops of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria remained resolute in their operations and engaged in series
of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in all theatres of major and
subsidiary operations. We have also worked cooperatively and in
great synergy with other security and intelligence agencies to gain
several successful and credible outcomes in our operations. For
land operations, our gallant troops have been actively engaged in
constant clearance patrols, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and
search operations as well as artillery bombardments. In the
maritime environment, troops conducted various operations involving
anti-piracy, anti-illegal oil bunkering, anti-crude oil theft,
anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling operations. Moreover,
the Air Component conducted comprehensive air operations, which
included air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and
rescue operations as well as close air support for ground
troops.

‘As a result of these operations, our troops neutralized scores
of terrorists and bandits including senior BHT/ISWAP and ESN
commanders as well as major bandit leaders. Similarly, many of
their fighters were incapacitated and their camps destroyed through
artillery and air bombardments. Additionally, troops rescued
several kidnapped victims and arrested bandits/kidnappers
informants and collaborators in different parts of the country. Our
operations also inhibited activities of economic saboteurs as well
as exposed and forestalled other criminal activities. Troops also
recovered large caches of arms and ammunition as well as equipment,
vehicles and livestock within the period. In the maritime domain,
troops disrupted smuggling activities, immobilized illegal refining
sites, arrested some perpetrators, seized illegally imported rice
and other contraband goods as well as recovered petroleum products.
Although some of our personnel paid the supreme price in the course
of these operations, our dogged troops consistently demonstrated
gallantry and resilience.

‘You are also aware that the Military High Command has renamed
the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East from
Operation LAFIYA DOLE to Operation HADIN KAI. This was done to
reflect the renewed spirit of jointness in the North East
operational environment. The combined efforts of the Armed Forces
of Nigeria and other security agencies demonstrate our commitment,
synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our
great Nation. We will continue to sustain the offensive posture and
will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in
Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to
protect our economic assets anywhere.

‘As you know, security is everybody’s concern, thus, we
encourage every well-meaning Nigerian to support the efforts of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, by providing
credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive
engagements to address the threats. The plans and efforts of the
criminal elements to perpetrate nefarious activities so as to
discredit the government and efforts of security forces will in no
way deter us from sustaining the tempo of operations. The High
Command of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public
for their support and further solicit their cooperation in the
fight against criminality in the Country. The Military High Command
also commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and
personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations
across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment.
Once again, I thank you members of the Press for your continued
understanding and support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.’

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that
counterinsurgency soldiers have killed scores of bandits,
terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups disturbing the
peace of the country between May 1 and 20.

The troops are reported to have destroyed several bandits camps,
arms, ammunitions and other weapons belonging to the criminals and
rescuing several persons held hostage.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations Brigadier-General
Bernard Onyeuko, made this known at a media briefing on update of
military operations conducted between May 1 and 20, by personnel of
the Nigerian Armed Forces and the security agencies across the
country.

The DMO briefing is the first since the Chief of Defence Staff
(CDS), General Lucky Irabor, assumed duty.

Onyeuko said the troops arrested some bandits/kidnappers
informants and collaborators in different parts of the country and
prevented activities of economic saboteurs engaged in oil bunkering
and forestalled other criminal activities. He said large large
caches of arms and ammunition, as well as equipment, vehicles and
livestock, were recovered within the period under review.

His statement reads:
‘I am delighted to welcome you again to the Defence Headquarters
for updates on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria. Though you may not have heard much from us in the past few
months in terms of operational efforts of the military and other
security agencies; I must state that, a lot have been going on in
the various theatres of operations across the country. Recall that
the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs have conducted
several operational visits to the various theatres of operation.
They have been interacting with commanders, troops and other
stakeholders in various theatres. Also, a Security Summit was held
in March 2021 at the National Defence College with relevant
stakeholders in attendance. In accordance with the theme, the
Summit was aimed at promoting understanding and collaboration of
stakeholders and key players on the kinetic approach that is
expected to facilitate public support for kinetic action in Counter
Terrorism and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) operations in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs also
visited the 6 geo-political zones and had consultations with
Government Officials, traditional and religious leaders and various
interest groups for the purpose of sensitization on the current
security challenges facing the country. These engagements were
aimed at ensuring that the Military High Command comes up with
improved ways and means of tackling the myriad of security
challenges across the Country in partnership with other
stakeholders.

‘In the same vein, on 5 May 2021, the Chief of Defence Staff and
Service Chiefs had interaction with senior media executives in
“Open Ears Press Dialogue”. As you are aware, some topical security
issues were enumerated and discussed extensively during the
interaction with the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs.
Sequel to that, we are now resuming our usual updates on the
unrelenting and committed efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria
and other security agencies in tackling security challenges facing
our dear nation. Today’s update will cover the combined operational
efforts of the land, maritime and air components across the country
between 1 and 20 May 2021. These operational efforts of the
Nigerian military are intended to achieve sustainable peace and to
ensure normalcy returns to all troubled zones of our dear
Country.

‘Within the period in focus, troops of the Armed Forces of
Nigeria remained resolute in their operations and engaged in series
of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in all theatres of major and
subsidiary operations. We have also worked cooperatively and in
great synergy with other security and intelligence agencies to gain
several successful and credible outcomes in our operations. For
land operations, our gallant troops have been actively engaged in
constant clearance patrols, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and
search operations as well as artillery bombardments. In the
maritime environment, troops conducted various operations involving
anti-piracy, anti-illegal oil bunkering, anti-crude oil theft,
anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling operations. Moreover,
the Air Component conducted comprehensive air operations, which
included air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and
rescue operations as well as close air support for ground
troops.

‘As a result of these operations, our troops neutralized scores
of terrorists and bandits including senior BHT/ISWAP and ESN
commanders as well as major bandit leaders. Similarly, many of
their fighters were incapacitated and their camps destroyed through
artillery and air bombardments. Additionally, troops rescued
several kidnapped victims and arrested bandits/kidnappers
informants and collaborators in different parts of the country. Our
operations also inhibited activities of economic saboteurs as well
as exposed and forestalled other criminal activities. Troops also
recovered large caches of arms and ammunition as well as equipment,
vehicles and livestock within the period. In the maritime domain,
troops disrupted smuggling activities, immobilized illegal refining
sites, arrested some perpetrators, seized illegally imported rice
and other contraband goods as well as recovered petroleum products.
Although some of our personnel paid the supreme price in the course
of these operations, our dogged troops consistently demonstrated
gallantry and resilience.

‘You are also aware that the Military High Command has renamed
the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East from
Operation LAFIYA DOLE to Operation HADIN KAI. This was done to
reflect the renewed spirit of jointness in the North East
operational environment. The combined efforts of the Armed Forces
of Nigeria and other security agencies demonstrate our commitment,
synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our
great Nation. We will continue to sustain the offensive posture and
will not relent until peace is restored to every troubled zone in
Nigeria. The general public is also assured of our commitment to
protect our economic assets anywhere.

‘As you know, security is everybody’s concern, thus, we
encourage every well-meaning Nigerian to support the efforts of the
Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, by providing
credible and timely information that will facilitate proactive
engagements to address the threats. The plans and efforts of the
criminal elements to perpetrate nefarious activities so as to
discredit the government and efforts of security forces will in no
way deter us from sustaining the tempo of operations. The High
Command of the Nigerian Military wishes to thank the general public
for their support and further solicit their cooperation in the
fight against criminality in the Country. The Military High Command
also commends all the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and
personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations
across the country for their resilience, doggedness and commitment.
Once again, I thank you members of the Press for your continued
understanding and support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.’