Nigerian military on Thursday said insecurity in the country had been reduced in the last one month.
This was disclosed by the Director, Media Operation, Defence Headquarters, Benard Onyeuko, at a press briefing.
According to him, the Armed Forces had performed different operations across the country and recorded successes, neutralising bandits, kidnappers, terrorists among others between June 3 and 16.
He said, “The troops in different operations across the country recorded attendant successes as scores of criminal elements were decimated and neutralized with their hideouts destroyed and large caches of arms and ammunition as well as equipment recovered. In other cases, some kidnapped victims were rescued and rustled cattle recovered; and economic saboteurs arrested.
“Considering our operational activities in the various theatres of operation, comparatively, there is a decrease in criminal activities within the period under review.
“This is as a result of troops’ operational efforts to deny criminals freedom of operation and we remain resolute to take decisive and adequate actions to further abate terrorists and bandits’ activities as well as other vices across the country.”
Mentioning some of the operations, he said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled terrorists’ attacks on Damboa Town in Borno State on June 3, where several fighters of the ISWAP sect, including one of their commanders named Umar Tela, were neutralised.
He added that the troops arrested a leader of a notorious kidnapping syndicate in the North-East Zone, Mohammed Maki, who is a Chadian.
Onyeuko said, “Furthermore, in the course of these operations within the period under review, several terrorists were neutralised, while some escaped with gunshot wounds. Large number of their gun trucks and other logistics facilities were as well destroyed in the process.
Likewise, troops of Operation Safe Haven on June 5 arrested one Umaru around Mangu Market in the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State and was in possession of assorted arms and other dangerous weapons.
Onyeuko revealed that troops of Operation Delta Safe conducted series of anti-illegal oil bunkering and raid operations that thwarted activities of economic saboteurs
He also said the troops arrested some criminals disguised as lunatics, who were in possession of several fake military barrack permit ID cards and military uniforms, at Tipper Garage and Navy Scrape Yard in Uvwie LGA of Delta State.
In South-West, Onyeuki, said troops of Operation Awatse repelled herdsmen that attacked Igangan community in Oyo State.
He added, “Troops were mobilized to the scene and engaged the herdsmen during which some of them were neutralized while others fled with gunshot wounds. Some of the criminals were arrested and handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency for further action.”