From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday announced the deployment of a significant number of troops to support police efforts in ensuring a crisis-free governorship election in Ondo State on Saturday.
The deployment aims to provide a secure environment, enabling citizens to vote freely without fear of harassment or intimidation while deterring any disruptive elements.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made this known, also stated that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has commenced airlifting sensitive electoral materials to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement updating on military operations across the country over the last week, General Buba reported that troops engaged in counter-insurgency and other security operations had killed 88 terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers, arrested 228 individuals, and rescued 181 kidnapped victims in the past week.
He added that troops in the Niger Delta region discovered and destroyed 59 illegal refining sites, 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks, three barges, seven speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, five pumping machines, three mobile phones, and nine vehicles, among other items.
Providing further updates, General Buba stated: “Troops are on an onslaught to crush terrorists in the northwest and other parts of the country. Operations are being modified to box in these terrorists, while also increasing operational intensity to ensure the total destruction of all terror groups and dismantling of their networks.
“Troops are also deployed in strength to assist the police in ensuring a hitch-free off-cycle governorship election in Ondo State, slated for 16 Nov 24. The presence of troops aims to secure citizens, allowing them to cast their votes without harassment or intimidation, while keeping mischief-makers at bay. The NAF is already engaged in flying sensitive electoral materials in support of INEC.”
“During the week under review, troops neutralised 88 criminals and arrested 228 persons. Troops also apprehended 40 individuals involved in oil theft and rescued 181 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South, troops denied oil thieves an estimated sum of One Billion, Two Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Nine Hundred and Fifty Naira (N1,021,412,950.00).
“Additionally, troops recovered 84 assorted weapons and 2,393 rounds of ammunition. The breakdown includes 34 AK-47 rifles, 15 fabricated rifles, 11 dane guns, five fabricated revolver pistols, eight locally made pistols, three pump-action guns, and one magnum pump-action.
“Other items recovered include 1,807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 314 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 146 rounds of 7.62mm PKM ammunition, 77 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 49 live cartridges, 25 magazines, two Baofeng radios, 16 vehicles, 35 motorcycles, 27 mobile phones, and the sum of N1,851,000.00.”
“Troops in the Niger Delta area also discovered and destroyed 13 crude oil cooking ovens, 20 dugout pits, 73 boats, 25 storage tanks, and 59 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include three barges, seven speedboats, 73 drums, one tricycle, five pumping machines, three mobile phones, and nine vehicles. Troops recovered 942,420 litres of stolen crude oil, 175,075 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 4,980 litres of PMS.”
He concluded, “Overall, troops’ offensives have severely depleted ISWAP terrorists’ rank and file in the northeast, forcing a desperate recruitment drive. Similarly, terrorists in the northwest are on a recruitment drive on social media. Troops are aware of the situation and are working with other security agencies and government bodies to thwart these plans.”