DHQ, MNJTF Provide Updates on Military Operations

DHQ, MNJTF Provide Updates on Military Operations

DHQ Provides Updates on Military Operations Nationwide

In its relentless effort to ensure adequate national security the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has been engrossed in tackling the menace of terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and sabotage of critical national economic assets, through coordinated military operations across the country. The DHQ has recorded quite a number of operational successes over the week.

Some of the successes recorded include, the repel of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) attack on Michika Town in Michika Local Government Area (LGA), Adamawa state. The insurgents who were on a looting mission for logistics had attacked a bank and some shops in the area, damaging an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and carting away food items. However, the insurgents ran out of luck when troops of 143 Battalion and 115 Task Force Brigade at neighbouring Lassa in Borno State mobilized to the area and engaged the insurgents in a fierce combat forcing the insurgents to flee. The fleeing insurgents were again ambushed and neutralized by Special Forces troops at Maikadiri Village in Askira Uba LGA of Borno State. The gallant troops recovered one Hilux van, two Toyota Starlet cars loaded with looted food stuff and motorcycles from the fleeing insurgents.

Similarly, troops in Zamfara State have arrested an impostor parading himself as a military officer in Tundun Wada area of Gusau metropolis in Zamfara State. The suspect who identified himself as Abdulresheed Sylvester was arrested while dressed up in military uniform with the rank of Major.

In order to stem the menace of armed banditry in the North Central part of the country, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted a raid operation on a suspected armed bandits camp at Dogo Gawa, a border community between Takum in Taraba State and Katsina-Ala in Benue State. In a shootout that ensued, the bandits who were overpowered by the superior firepower of the troops fled, abandoning their camp.

The gallant troops recovered one locally made riffle, one laptop, two cellphones, SIM cards, ATM cards and a sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (400,000). The camp was subsequently destroyed by troops who are currently on the trail of the fleeing bandits. Similarly, troops of Sector 3 of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at Ondori in Doma LGA have raided a suspected militia hideout at Abuja Ogor, a local settlement in Doma LGA, Nasarawa State. During the raid operation, the troops recovered two AK 47 riffles with two empty magazines, one Clarion 5.56 Israeli Assault rifle mounted with a magazine. In another raid operation, on bandits hideout in the same location, troops arrested two armed bandits with two AK 47 rifles, three magazines and 126 rounds of ammunition.

In tackling the spate of economic sabotage of the nations key national economic asset, troops of 222 Battalion on routine patrol arrested two suspected pipeline vandals along Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) pipeline around Isoko South LGA of Delta State. The suspects were arrested along with a tanker truck and 8 motorcycles while attempting to vandalize a petroleum pipeline.

In a separate operation, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE conducted strings of operations to combat illegal bunkering and other related crimes in the Niger Delta. During the operations, troops of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA and Sector 1 Operation DELTA SAFE, while on patrol at Iwhrekreka community in Ugheli LGA of Delta State uncovered and destroyed an illegal refining camp with 18 ovens, 18 coolers, 39 waste pits. Other items recovered include, 26 surface tanks and five pits cumulatively filled with about 750,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

In a similar operation, troops of NNS PATHFINDER uncovered an illegal refining site at Alakiri general area in Bonny LGA, Rivers State. The vigilant troops recovered several tanks and pits filled with about 500,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Additionally, 600,000 litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and two pumping machines were also recovered from the suspects. Some of the suspects arrested during the coordinated operations have been handed over to relevant prosecuting security agencies, while others are still undergoing preliminary investigation.

The Defence Headquarters wishes to use this opportunity to solicit credible information from members of the public to assist the military and other security agencies in maintaining peace and sustain the nations critical economic infrastructures.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Colonel
Acting Director Defence Information

…………………………………………………………

MNJTF Updates on Operation Yancin Tafki
Consistent with the determination of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to deal with the violence orchestrated by Boko Haram Terrorists in the Lake Chad Area, troops of the MNJTF in conjunction with national forces over the last few days have continued to inflict human and equipment casualties on Boko Haram.

In various offensive engagements conducted across the Areas of Responsibilities in Chad, Nigeria and Niger Republic, the following operational achievements have been recorded:

1. MNJTF troops operating around Damasak, Garunda and Gazabure localities destroyed a vehicle smuggling petrol and other logistics for Boko Haram.

2. Acting on intercepted Boko Haram communication, a coalition of MNJTF Air Forces conducted air interdictions in Madayi, Meri and Tchoukou-Bol and destroyed Boko Haram logistic equipment concealed in thickly forested areas.

3. MNJTF troops in conjunction with national forces operating in Mallam Fatori – Bosso axis discovered and neutralized 3 road side bombs planted by Boko Haram Terrorists. Also recovered were a Gun Truck and assorted ammunition abandoned by fleeing Boko Haram fighters.

4. Similarly, troops of the MNJTF and national forces operating in Doro Naira and Ngolom environs made contact with Boko Haram Terrorists and at the end of the engagement 5 terrorists were killed, 3 captured, while others fled. 2 out of the 3 captured terrorists were eventually killed when the vehicle conveying them went over a road side bomb planted by Boko Haram themselves.

5. Tired of waiting for the unrealized Boko Haram Caliphate, three (3) Boko Haram Terrorists have Surrendered to troops of MNJTF Sector 1 in Balgaram, Cameroon.

Please, disseminate this information to the general public.

Colonel Timothy Antigha
Chief of Military Public Information, MNJTF
N’Djamena
Chad