The Military High Command on Friday said that it has tightened security nationwide as the ongoing protests against economic hardship in the country have been hijacked and turned violent in some parts of the country.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated this in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on the ongoing military operations at the various theaters of operations across the six geo-political zones of the country against insurgency activities.
According to him, “The armed forces seeks to bring stability wherever it may be needed in the face of ongoing protest across the country.
“We have tighten security in several areas , bearing in mind the protest was hijacked and turned violent in something parts of the country.
“Sadly at about 2000hrs on 31 Jul 24 in the NE , lives were lost on the eve of the protest. The incident occurred when a female suicide bomber infiltrated and detonated her suicide vest in Kawuri Village of Konduga LGA in Borno State. The incident resulted in 17 civilian deaths with several others wounded and receiving treatment in hospital.”
He, however pointed out that “In spite of the ugly incident, our operations are continuing to deepen our successes particularly in the North East, Noth West, North Central and South East zones of the nation. In the South South, troops restrategised operations to boost optimal output in crude oil production by curbing crude oil theft.”
On the operations of the troops in the month of July, General Buba, said “overall in July 2024, troops neutralized 572 terrorists, arrested 790 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements as well as rescued 479 kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 440 weapons, 10,589 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #3 bn (N3,652,382,080.00) only.
“The breakdown of recoveries in the month of July includes and is not limited to the following: 232 AK47 rifles, 93 locally fabricated guns, 82 dane guns, 32 pump action guns, 5,041 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,768 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 659 cartridges, 63 assorted arms and 2,259 assorted ammunition.
“Others are 3,650,080 litres of stolen crude oil, 625,518 litres of illegally refined AGO, 450 litres of DPK and 1,230 litres of PMS amongst other item.”
He assured that the military remained committed and strong to its mission of defending defending the country and protecting citizens and urged citizens not to compromise on security, saying “otherwise the security of everyone is compromised.”
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