Four individuals suspected of aiding terrorists have been taken into custody by troops from Operations Hadin Kai and Whirl Stroke. The arrests occurred during separate operations carried out between October 9 and 11, 2023.
According to a statement released on Friday by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, investigations revealed that three of the individuals arrested in Borno were involved in facilitating ransom payments to the terrorists. Additionally, the suspect apprehended in Benue was involved in collecting levies from residents on behalf of the terrorists.
The statement partly read, “Between 10 and 11 October 2023 troops intercepted two kidnapped escapees. Troops also arrested 3 terrorist collaborators in Nganzai LGA of Borno State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the 3 collaborators were terrorists’ ransom facilitators. Troops reunited the two escapees with their families.
“On 9 October 2023, troops while on fighting patrol arrested one terrorist collaborator in Ukum LGA of Benue State. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect collects levies from the locals for the terrorists. ”
He added that the activities of troops across the country in the last week resulted in the arrest of 95 terrorists while 37 were killed.
Edward revealed that troops arrested 19 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 53 kidnapped hostages.
He also said troops recovered stolen crude oil products worth N3,399,029,850.00.
“The operations of the last week, resulted in 37 neutralized terrorists while 95 of them were arrested. Troops also arrested 19 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 53 kidnapped hostages. In the South-South geo-political zone, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of N3,399,029,850.00 only.
Troops in the Niger Delta area also discovered and destroyed 42 dugout pits, 82 boats, 143 storage tanks, 234 cooking ovens, 56 illegal refining sites, 61 hoses, 17 drums, one pumping machine, 2 outboard engines, and one vessel. Troops recovered 6,009,500 litres of stolen crude oil, 425,715 litres of illegally refined AGO, 38,100 litres of DPK, and 4,500 litres of PMS, ” the statement added.
Buba, however, said troops recovered 100 assorted weapons and 1,207 assorted ammunition within the week under review.