DEFENCE
Military Kill 343 Terrorists, 153 Bandits in Major Operations
By Gom Mirian, Abuja
At least 343 members of the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and 19 of the Sect leaders were killed in separate operations in the last three weeks, according to the High Command of the Nigerian Military.
The command disclosed this while keeping the public appraised on the major operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria across the nation at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Major General John Enenche, Coordinator Defence Media Operations, while giving the update said the Force has within the period of 19 days killed an overwhelming number of 343 fighters of both the Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and those of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North East region.
According to him, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE exhibited a high professional effort with glaring success, which led to the rescue and return of normalcy in some villages that were under attack by the Terrorists.
“A number of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions were conducted, which revealed criminal hideouts and their activities.
Consequently, a number of air interdictions were conducted, which led to the destruction of several BHT logistics facilities and compounds housing some of their leaders including Abu Usamah and a number of their fighters who were eliminated.
“Similarly, a total of 343 BHT/ISWAP fighters were killed and several others suffered various degrees of gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival.
” This is in addition to several others, including their key leaders, killed by Air bombardments. Furthermore, most of the Boko Haram’s logistics installations and networks have been destroyed, while 16 of their informants and logistics suppliers were arrested.
“At the call of this duty, some of our troops paid the supreme prize and others were wounded in action,” he disclosed.
Enenche said with the aid of close Air support for the ground troops, Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out various clearance operations during the period under review where several bandits locations and hideouts were cleared.
He disclosed that in the North western region, a total of 153 Bandits were eliminated, while 17 kidnapped victims were rescued and united with their families.
While great successes were also recorded by the troops in the North Central parts of the country, he said during the operations, in which the troops were able to recover cache of arms and ammunition among other equipment, four soldiers paid the supreme prize.
He also said during the period also, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH clamped down on Armed Militia and other bandits in Benue and Taraba States where seven kidnapped victims were rescued and large caches of ammunition among other items recovered.
A total of seven bandits were killed by troops from contacts made at Toto Nasarawa State and Anku Mbagen in Atera-Jange Torov Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Major General Enenche said no member of the Troops was wounded or killed in action.
He described the achievements recorded by the operations so far and within a short period of time as an indications that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were winning the war against the enemies of the country.
According to the Defence spokesman, the feat was a joint effort of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies in the country.
DEFENCE
Police Intensify Security in Cross River Ahead of Easter Festival
The Cross River Police command says it has beefed up security across the State preparatory to the celebration of Easter festival.
Mr. Gyogon Grimah, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in Calabar on Monday.
According to him, the tactical teams of the Police as well as other regular formations have been deployed at strategic positions within the state to secure the lives and property of the residents during the festival.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo and made available to newsmen in Calabar on Monday.
The CP who felicitated with the people of the state and Christian faithful, directed for close surveillance activities, foot/vehicular patrols, and visibility policing across, to forestall security breaches during the period.
He said the Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Oficers (DPOs) and Tactical Commanders were directed to ensure safety and security of the general public before, during and after the event.
“The Police Command will not fold its hand and watch any group or individuals under whatever guise to obstruct or cause breakdown of law and order.”
“I urge all public spirited individuals to volunteer useful and genuine information to the Police and support the Police and other security agencies to ensure peaceful coexistence in the state and the nation as a whole,” he appealed,” he said
He enjoins citizens residing in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear or panic.(NAN)
DEFENCE
Air Force Knocks out Terrorists’ Enclaves Near Lake Chad
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of the military special task force, “Operation Hadin Kai’’, has continued to decimate terrorists and their hideouts at Tumbuns near Lake Chad.
NAF’s Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, stated on Monday in Abuja that intelligence report received made airstrikes on a location Northwest of Arina Woje in Tumbuns on Sunday imperative.
He explained that the report indicated the presence of terrorists’ hideouts at the location.
He added that the report also confirmed an activation of terrorists’ activities around clusters of structures concealed under trees near the location.
“A post-strike Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralised and their hideouts set ablaze, thereby degrading their capabilities to attack surface forces.
“These strikes have also degraded the capabilities of terrorist elements operating in the region to attack innocent civilians residing near Arina Woje in Borno,’’ Gabkwet stated. (NAN)
DEFENCE
Army’ll Continue to Build Capacity to Surmount Security Threats -GOC
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigeria, Maj.-Gen Mayirenso Saraso, says the Nigerian Army will continue to build the capacity of its Officers and men to enable them surmount the emerging security threats.
The GOC stated this at a three-day capacity building for 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre 2024 for Officers on Monday in Kaduna.
Saraso said the avenue was to bring together the participants of the ranks of Captains to Colonels in the divsion’s Area of Responsibility to build cohesion and synergize with sister security agencies.
“The training is organized to refresh us on the various aspects of operations planning process in order to enhance our
skills and improve capacity in single and joint service operations planning process,” he said.
The GOC said this was in line with the Chief of
Army Staff’s command philosophy.
It is: ‘ To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment’.
Saraso said, “As we are all witnessing, warfare is becoming increasingly complex due to changes in the nature of threats and
advancement in technology.
“In view of this, armies world over
are continually engaged in training and capacity building to enable them surmount emerging security challenges.”
According to the GOC, the Nigerian Army equally recognizes these changes and therefore, seeks to develop capacity through realistic training that will enhance its
operations.
He explained that the division’s experiences in Birnin Gwari,Falgore, Kagara and other forests, among others, had helped it to draw useful lessons and identify gaps in the conduct of its operations.
The GOC said the 1 Division Operations Planning Cadre for this year was expected to explore ways of building on existing efforts by it to meet its operational needs in the areas of Warfare Operations Planning.
“Others are military decision making process, intelligence preparation of the battle space and logistics in operational planning amongst others, “he said.
Saraso urged the participants to have an open mind in order to derive maximum benefits from the cadre.
The GOC appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja for providing the resources for the cadre, his exemplary and inspiring leadership, support motivation to the division..(NAN)