By Harriet Tornguvan
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja has announced a strategic focus on targeting the core structures of terrorists and their associates throughout the country. This was disclosed by Maj-Gen Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), during a bi-weekly briefing on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) held on Thursday.
Maj-Gen Buba stated, "The current multi-front military operations aim to dismantle the central operations of terrorists and their cohorts across Nigeria. We are identifying, flushing out, and dismantling their military, administrative, and logistics capabilities across various theaters."
He highlighted that the operations are progressing well, with a priority on eliminating terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers, and their collaborators. "Many terrorists have been neutralized, and we continue to pursue the remaining ones," he added.
"Troops remain relentless, exerting significant military pressure to defeat terrorists and their collaborators in the North East, North West, and North Central zones. In the South East zone, operations continue against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). In the South-South zone, efforts are ongoing to combat crude oil theft".
To address oil theft, a unified command structure has been established, focusing on transparency from international oil companies, credible metering of oil wells, and tracking the loading and destination points of crude oil.
"We are also engaging host communities and stakeholders in the oil sector, enhancing surveillance on vessels, terminals, and oil infrastructures,"
Maj-Gen Buba noted. He emphasized that troops are ensuring that offenders are prosecuted, aiming for a significant boost in crude oil output for the nation.
In the past week, troops neutralized 106 and arrested 164 individuals, including 32 involved in oil theft and 103 kidnapped hostages. They also recovered 125 assorted weapons and 1,522 rounds of ammunition, among other items.
"Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 20 dugout pits, 24 boats, and 34 storage tanks, and recovered 802,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 121,900 litres of illegally refined diesel," Maj-Gen Buba reported.
Regarding the rumored nationwide protest, Maj-Gen Buba cautioned against plunging the nation into anarchy similar to what is being witnessed in Kenya. He advised citizens to shun violence and embrace peace. "While citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilize for anarchy or unleash terror," he said.
He warned of potential hijacking of the protest by unscrupulous elements and urged cool heads to prevail to allow the government to address the situation and ensure national stability.
"The military is committed to preventing the country from descending into anarchy, drawing on its experiences from peacekeeping operations in war-torn countries," Maj-Gen Buba concluded. "It is time to let cool heads prevail for the government to remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again."
