The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami said this during the bi-weekly News briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital saying that the briefing covered the period of 26th January to 9th February 2023.
General Danmadami said that “following the fire fight, troops also neutralised one terrorist and destroyed 10 motorcycles amongst others”.
According to him, in furtherance to this, troops carried operational activities in villages, forest, towns and cities of Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Imo States geared towards restoring peace and normalcy to the region.
Notably, troops raided an Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminal in Ovuru community forest in Uzo-Uwanni Local Government Area of Enugu State and recovered one AK47 rifle, 5 rounds of 7.62mm special, one pump action gun, 31 rounds of cartridges, one locally made Improvised Explosive Device, one vehicle, battery, 2 solar panels, one wifi device and 3 hand held radios. Other items recovered are 2 radio chargers, 42 pairs of berets, 9 pairs of blue uniform trousers, 11 belts, 12 mobile phones, gunpowder and charms.
Subsequently, in a follow up operation to another camp at Iyoun and Agubeji communities of the same Local Government Area, the troops raided and arrested 3 Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network criminals.
The Director also noted that ”troops responded to credible information on Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist activities at County Primary School Amaruru in Ordu Local Government Area of Imo State and made contact with the terrorists.”
He said that the troops also recovered one AK47 rifle and destroyed the terrorist shrines including posters with inscription of ‘No ELECTION’.
Equally according to him, while on patrol along Road Eha – Amufu – nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, troops arrested a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network collaborator.
He said that “preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was responsible for the recruitment and initiation of youth for the terrorist group as well as being a spy for the terrorists”.
Similarly, between 6 and 7 February 2023, the troops raided a suspected Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network terrorist hideout in Nkalagu in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and Ugwuoba community in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State respectively.
According to him, during the operation troops arrested one suspected IPOB/ESN criminal informant.
“Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one SMG, one teargas launcher, one locally made pistol, 20 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 AK47 magazine, 260 rounds of 223 Remington ammunitions, Nigerian police uniforms, combats boots, solar panels, 15 fragmental jackets and 2 vehicles”, he said.
Consequently, within the weeks under review, troops recovered 3 AK47 rifle, one Dane gun, one double barrel gun, one SMG, one tear gas launcher, 6 locally made pistol, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 AK47 magazines, 260 rounds of 223 Remington ammunitions, one Trevor 21 rifle loaded with 23 rounds of 5.56mm ammo,11 expended cartridges, political banners, one vehicle, Nigerian police personnel uniforms, combat boots IPOB flyers , 3 motorcycles, and 2 mobile phones amongst others items. Troops equally neutralized 4 terrorists and arrested 9 terrorists. All recovered items and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
The Director noted that troops of Operation AWATSE have sustained the fight against criminal elements in the South West zone of the country.
Notably, based on credible intelligence, troops conducted search operations to AJ Danpullo transport motorpark at Iddo in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State and arrested 1 suspected criminal who was to waybill some arms in his possession.
General Danmadami said that “troops recovered from the suspect, 1 hand grenade, 25 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1 roll of wire alongside other items suspected to be used for Improvised Explosive Device”s.
Equally, troops raided some communities in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State and arrested 120 suspected drug peddlers.
According to him, troops recovered 1 locally fabricated pistol, 10kg of cannabis, 5 grains of methamphetamine, 3 Kg of tramadol, 8 mobile phones, assorted charms amongst other items.
All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authority.
The Military High Command has commended the troop’s efforts in the various theatres of operations across the nation.
It also acknowledged the Media for their partnership and continued cooperation with the military and other security agencies, in their quest to restore peace and security to the country.
