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The spat of terrorism and insurgence has intensified in recent times as troops have bolster operation to help eliminate terrorists in the country.
The Defence Headquarters said that in the last one week operation, troops killed no fewer than 159 terrorists and arrested 174 suspects.
According to the Defence, the operations saw the rescue of about 188 persons kidnapped by non-state actors.
Maj. Gen. Bubba Edward, the Director of Media operations made this disclosure in a statement.
He added that the operation saw the recovery of 151 assorted weapons and 12,401 assorted ammunitions.
The statement read in parts: "Troops neutralised 159 and arrested 174 persons. Troops also arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 188 kidnapped hostages.
“The troops also recovered 151 assorted weapons and 12,401 assorted ammunitions. The breakdown is as follows: three PKT guns, one SLR, 92 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, 15 Dane guns, four pump action guns, four locally made pistols, one pistol, two RPG tubes, one RPG bomb, 66 AK47 magazines, one FN magazine, two locally fabricated hand grenades.
“Others are 10,346 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,094 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 92 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 479 rounds of PKT ammo, 182 rounds of MG ammo, 43 rounds of 9.5mm ammo, 12 rounds of 9mm ammo, 35 live cartridges, 35 empty cases of 7.62mm ammo, 2 baofeng radios, 15 vehicles, 39 motorcycles, 28 mobile phones and the sum of N5,386,200.00 only amongst other items.”
In an operation in the South-south region, the defence revealed that about N736m worth of crude oil stolen was recovered.
Bubba said, “In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated N736,971,450.00 only. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 9 dugout pits, 35 boats, four speedboats, 32 drums and 57 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 20 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, 14 vehicles, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 10 mobile phones and 71 illegal refining sites.
“Troops recovered 788,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 28,995 litres of illegally refined AGO, 300 litres of DPK and 3,000 litres of PMS.”
