By Harriet Tornguvan-Abuja.
The Defence Headquarters DHQ, on Thursday said its troops have arrested a terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, said to be the founding father of the Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB), and Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations DDMO, Major Gen Edward Buba, announced this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the Military operations by the Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security Agencies at the various theatres of operations across the Federation against insurgency activities within the week.
Gen Buba said that the suspect was apprehended at a location in Imo State during an operation conducted by the troops of Forward Base Operation FOB operating in the South East Theatre.
He noted that, “Troops continue to deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance, in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader.
“The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.”
Gen Buba stated that similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu, who was arrested in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State.
He further added that, relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock.
He explained that the suspect was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu, Abia State.
The DDMO further disclosed that during the week under review, troops neutralised 140 and arrested 135 persons.
According to him, ” Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages, while in the South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of one billion seven hundred and fifty-one million eight hundred and eighty-six thousand five hundred and fifty Naira (N1,751,886,550.00) only.
“Moreover, troops recovered 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition. The breakdown is as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, 2 FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistols, one Barreta pistol, 2 bayonets, and 42 AK47 magazines.
‘Others are 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, 2 Baofeng radios, 3 vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones, and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and 19$ only, amongst other items.
He added that the troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks, and 47 illegal refining sites.
According to him, “Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 motorcycles, and 3 vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again.
He urged citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in the Country
He declared that the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations of the armed forces had dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities.
According to him, troops have prevented these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
“As the war wages, troops continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations and retain operational flexibility.
