by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
Nigerians have been reassured of their safety by the Defence Headquarters, as 340 terrorists and their families surrender to troops, especially as the 2023 general elections approach.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) also assured Nigerians that the military and other security agencies are working hard to ensure that there is maximum security and safety of Nigerians and other citizens before, during and after the general elections scheduled for 25th of February and 11th of March, 2023.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major-General Musa Danmadami, the Media Director of Defence Operation, made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja recently on the operational activities and successes recorded by the military troops at the various theaters across the six geo-political zones of the country.
He made the affirmation, while responding to the question on what the military was doing to ensure the safety of Nigerians during the forthcoming general elections, most especially in the South East Zone of the country.
According to him, “There is nothing to be afraid, as there are ongoing operations in the zone and other parts of the country by the military troops and other security agencies.
“There is no doubt elections would hold in that zone and other trouble areas in the country,” he said, and assured that operations are ongoing in that region as well as other regions of the country.
He explained that, “The military is not a lead agency as far as election is concerned, but it is the responsibility of the police. The military and other security agencies only support the police to perform its duty.”
While highlighting some of the achievements and successes recorded within the period under review, he said the troops in the Northeast rescued 59 civilians and a total of 340 terrorists and their families, comprising male, female and children surrendered to troops at different locations of the zone.
He stressed that, Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have sustained and continued to dominate their general area of operation, adding that, operational activities were conducted in various villages, towns and cities as well as communities of Bama, Konduga, Biu, Magumeri, Kakuwa, Kaga, Mafa and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State.
According to him, operations were also conducted at Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State denying Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province and other criminal elements freedom of actions and restore normalcy to the zone.
Furthermore, he stated that, “On 27th January 2023, troops conducted fighting patrol to a Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province enclave at Yuwe Village, in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, and made contact with the terrorists. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 17 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 1 GPMG, one 36 hand grenade and 77 rounds of belted 7.62mm NATO ammo.”
He said, “On the 30th of January 2023, troops conducted offensive operation to Boko Haram terrorists enclave at villages within Bama and Mafa Local Government Areas of Borno State. Troops made contact with the terrorists and, following a fire fight, troops neutralized 3 terrorists and rescued 10 civilians, recovered 13 den guns, 316 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition, 7 rounds of 7.62mm special, one terrorist flag and a bag of drugs, among other items.”
Also, he further explained that in the North Central Zone of the country, troops have continued to crackdown on the nefarious activities of terrorists and other criminal elements in their general area of operation, while in the North West Zone, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have sustained operational activities through the conduct of fighting patrols, raid and clearance operations to clear bandits and terrorists within various Towns, Local Government Areas and States within the Zone.
He said in the South South Zone, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe and other operations in the zone have continued the war against oil theft and illegal refineries and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta region.
In the South East Zone, he added, troops and other security agents have sustained the offensive against the activities of the outlawed indigenous people of Biafra/Eastern Security Network Criminals in the zone. Then in the South West Zone, he said that troops of Operation Awatse have also sustained the fight against criminal elements in the zone.
Major-General Musa, while conveying the Military High Command commendations on the troops’ efforts in the various threatres of operations across the nation, he also acknowledged their partnership and cooperation with media as well as the community and other security agencies in their quest to restore peace and security to the nation at large.
