The Interview Editors
As part of activities marking the January 15th Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the presidency has listed the security achievements of the Nigerian armed forces between March and December 2020.
A statement by Femi Adesina on Thursday also named some of the successes recorded since 2015 in the different regions of the country.
He said, “Specifically, in the North East, the Armed Forces have since 2015 recorded significant achievements in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria. The first actions of the Buhari Administration in that regard were: Revitalization of the Multi-National Joint Task Force comprising Nigeria and her neighbours; Relocation of the Military Command and Control Centre to Maiduguri in June 2015 and launch of Operation Lafiya Dole in July 2015.”
In the northwest, the military since March, Adesina said, succeeded in recovering 5,281 livestock, 6,951 rounds of ammunition and 120 assorted rifles from the armed bandits.
He said 455 kidnapped victims were rescued and 473 armed bandits killed.
“461 arrests were made in the Zone including high profile armed bandits, gun runners and bandits’ collaborators, while a total cash of N6,365,550 was recovered from armed bandits and their informants in the Zone.”
In the northeast, Adesina said, “200 kidnapped victims rescued by troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. A total of 1,385 rounds of ammunition, 45 grenades as well as 95 assorted rifles were recovered from BHT/ISWAP fighters.
“In addition, several gun trucks were captured, while some others were destroyed during air strikes. 1,805 insurgents/terrorists including commanders were killed by the troops aside scores killed by air raids/attacks. Additionally, within the period, a total of 79 arrests were made including high value targets.”
In the north central, he said, “Troops of Operations SAFE HAVEN, WHIRL STROKE and THUNDER STRIKE rescued a total of 130 kidnapped victims, and 105 assorted rifles as well as 513 rounds of ammunition and 1,055 rustled cattle were recovered from armed bandits and other criminal elements in the Zone. 1,250 criminals including family members of the Darul Salam sect were arrested within the period.
“Furthermore, troops neutralised a total of 125 armed bandits including militia gang leaders.”
A total of 8,890,300 litres of stolen AGO and 33,516,00 litres of DPK were impounded by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the south south.
Troops, Adesina said, “immobilised a total of 185 illegal refining sites, 85 dugout pits and 163 metal storage tanks within the period. Additionally, troops impounded a cumulative total of 31,236.8 barrels of stolen crude oil as well as 12,272,652 litres of stolen PMS from oil thieves in the Zone.
“Also, a total of 47 kidnapped victims were rescued, while 72 vandals and criminals were arrested. A total of 4,250 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled smuggled rice were impounded and 45 boats engaged in illegal activities were arrested. Troops also arrested a total of 53 pirates and 25 trucks as well as recovered 23 rifles, 65,330 rounds of ammunition and destroyed 23 sea pirate camps.”
