By Gom Mirian 

The Military High Command, on Thursday said at least 1,158 Boko Haram / Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and their families have laid down their arms and surrendered to its troops in the last three weeks. 

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko who stated this at a bi-weekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operational activities in Abuja, said the surrendered members comprised 164 men, 367 women and 627 children.

According to him, several weapons were recovered from the criminals which include: 76 AK 47 rifles, 758 rounds of 7.62mm, 1 FN, 2 Barreta rifles, 4 G3 rifles, 7 Barreta pistols, 1 Harris Bing pistols and 1 SMG,, 4 MG’s, 3 60mm mortar, 1 AA gun, 1 SMG, 11Magazines, 1 hand grenade, 1 UXO anti tank RPG bomb, 174 dane guns, 1 gun tripod, 1 binocular, 5 bandoliers, and 8 crowbas. 

Others include 183 locally fabricated rifles,102 locally fabricated pistols, 19 locally fabricated SMGs, 6 single barrel guns and pump action gun, 45 different assorted weapons, 80 rounds of different caliber ammunitions and some rounds of 9mm. 

Meanwhile, other items seized during the encounter within the period under review are ; 61 motorcycles, 31 bicycles, 4 heavy duty generators, 3 Canoes, 3 tri-cycles, 22 sewing machines, 1 video camera, 4 grinding machines, 8 mobile phones, 4 cars, 4 trucks, 1 Toyota buffalo vehicle, 8 drums of grains, medical syringes, 970 rustled cattles and 43,000:00 Naira cash
Onyeuko said all the surrendered terrorists, recovered items, rescued civilians and captured terrorists have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further actions while recovered cows were also handed over to the appropriate authority for further handing over to the owners. 

Speaking further on operations carried out in the South – South zones of the Country, Onyeuko said “Troops in OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre of operation have continued to clamp down on the activities of oil thieves and other criminal elements in the Area of Operation (AOR) such as; Egwa, Opumami, Zion Creeks in Warri North Local Government Area, Okpoko Water Ways, Edjeba Community, Bennett Island in Warri South Local Government Area, Asugbo in Warri Local Government Area, Yeye Creek in Burutu Local Government, Emohua and Warri South Local Government Area of Rivas, Umudaike in Oshimili South Ole in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. 

“Other locations include; Awoba in Degema Local Government Area, Embikri Ifoko in Asari Toru Local Government Area of River State. 
“Within the period under reviewed, own troops discovered several illegal refining sites with 133 ovens, 194 metal tanks storages, 127 dugout pits, 5 wooden boats, 12 receivers, 2 ovens, 2 engines, 2 pumping machines, 1 oxygen cylinder, 1 motorcycle, 1 jetta vehicle, 4,000 polythene bags of illegal refined black oil and 5 trucks. Cumulatively, Seven Million Seven Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand (7,732,000) litres of crude oil and Ten Million and Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand Six Hundred and five (10,821,605) litres of AGO was recovered. All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

“Similarly, troop of Operation DAKATAR DA BARAWO conducted operations in Asugbo, Egwa, Lelema, Jones creeks in Delta State. Other operational activities that were conducted were by NNS LUGARD at location off Akili Ozizor community in Ogbaru Local Government Area Anambra State, NNS Victory at Habour road in the city of Calabar, while NNS SOROH conducted operational activities within Ereweibio creek in Brass Local Government Area, Otuokpot area along Kolo creek, Ogbia waterside Saint Nicholas Axis from Akasa area of Bayelsa State respectfully. 

 “Furthermore, during the operation troops discovered and destroyed several illegal refinery sites, 145 ovens, 201 storage metal tanks, 9 pumping machines, 1 Yamaha 40HP outboard engines, 55 dugout pits, 58 drums of AGO, 2 wooden boats, 100 polythene bags illegally refined AGO, I tanker loaded with illegal refined AGO.
“Cumulatively, within the week under review a total of One Million Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand (1,718,000) litres of AGO, Three Million Eight Hundred (3,800,000) litres of crude oil, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand (350,000) litres of sludge, Twenty Thousand (20,000) litres of PMS and One Hundred Thousand (100,000) litres of DPK”, he added.