JUST IN; 358 suspected Terrorists killed, 431 others arrested by Military personnel

The Defence Headquarters says troops have eliminated no fewer than 358 terrorists, apprehended 431 suspects and rescued 249 kidnapped hostages between Jan. 1 and 31.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, on Friday in Abuja.

Buba said the troops had continued to sustain the tempo in defeating terrorists and their cohorts in ongoing counter terrorist and insurgency operations across the country.

He said the troops recovered 370 weapons and 4,972 ammunitions, comprising 105 AK47 rifles, 25 locally fabricated guns, and 32 dane guns.

Buba added that 23 pump action guns, 3,066 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 758 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 980 cartridges, 72 assorted arms and 500 assorted ammunitions were also recovered.

In the North East, Buba said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained the tempo against terrorists and their cohorts across the theatre during the month.

He said the troops launched both ground and air offensives on terrorists, neutralising 193 terrorists, apprehended 89 suspects and rescued 39 kidnapped hostages.

According to him, troops recorded 95 surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families.

In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 22 violent extremists, nabbed 149 and rescued 73 kidnap hostages

He said that the troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.

In the North West, he said the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma, neutralised 102 terrorists, arrested 134 suspects and rescued 100 kidnapped hostages with a large cache of arms and ammunition.

In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, apprehended 59 perpetrators of oil theft and denied them of an estimated sum of over N2 billion.

He said the troops also recovered 2.7 million litres of stolen crude oil, 42,515 litres of illegally refined AGO, 200 litres of DPK and 2,250 litres of PMS amongst other items.

In the South East, he said the troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 41 terrorists, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 37 kidnap hostages.

“Overall, the armed forces continue to fight admirably in defeating terrorists and their cohorts across the country.

“Troops remain focused on creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is assured,” he added. (NAN)

BREAKING; 81 Division issues Statement after tragic accident in Lagos

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army has confirmed a tragic accident involving a suspected drunk driver who crashed into a unit of soldiers during their route march in Lagos State.

The Division’s spokesman, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni confirmed the unfortunate incident in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

According to him, the sad incident is confirmed, but investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the damage caused by the accident.

“Full details will come later,” Ayeni said.

NAN reports that a car driven by a suspected drunk driver, early Friday rammed into the soldiers around the Myoung Barracks Army Sports Camp on training exercise.

Unconfirmed reports said some soldiers sustained injuries while the car had been vandalised by aggrieved persons. (NAN)

JUST IN; Major General assumes duty as 39th GOC of 82 Division

Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye has taken over as the 39th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Joint Task Force South-East code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’.

Olatoye took over from the outgone GOC of the Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, who has been deployed to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.

Taking over on Monday in the Division’s Headquarters in Enugu, the new GOC charged officers and troops to brace-up, redouble all efforts and surpass all known operational successes.

Olatoye said that his job in the Division was to take the standard higher.

He called on all principal officers and commanders within component formations in the Division to ensure hard work, commitment and dedication of officers and soldiers under them.

“I appreciate the outgoing GOC for his strides in curbing crime and criminality within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AoR), which is the South-East and Cross River State.

“I noticed that the Division have effectively stopped the Monday Sit-at-Home in the South-East; as I clearly witnessed various businesses and human activities ongoing while I entered Enugu today.

“I laud the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for my deployment here and various support given to the Division leading to its current operational successes,” he said.

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Dada appreciated God, officers and soldiers of the Division for bringing solution to the security challenges as well as chaotic and problematic environment he met on ground as he took over about two years ago.

Dada noted that he led and supervised various special operations to check terrorists and criminal elements in communities, forests and major hide-out of notorious armed groups and criminal elements in the region.

“Division’s AoR witnessed several special operations and the people within the past two years witnessed peaceful yuletide celebrations and mass return especially the 2024 Christmas unprecedented mass return.

“I thank God that the Division witnessed few number of soldiers paying the ultimate sacrifice as they serve their fatherland and few personnel being hospitalised due to operational injuries.

“During my stay, I carried out lot of welfare projects, which included: building accommodations for both officers and soldiers; construction and reconstruction of schools; building training and recreational facilities and building health facilities within the barracks among others.

“I thank the COAS and Nigerian Army Headquarters for the support given to the Division and Operation UDO KA to achieve resounding successes these years,” he said.

Dada called on officers and soldiers to continue in their stride and commitment to rid the South-East of all criminal elements, adding: “I charge you to give full cooperation to the new GOC and Force Commander to excel as well.”

High points of the event were signing of the handing over and taking over notes by the outgone GOC, Dada, and new GOC, Olatoye, as well as handing over of the Division’s flag to Olatoye among others. (NAN)