Military operations yielding results for sustainable peace, says DHQ

Andrew Orolua, Abuja

The Military High Command said on Thursday that troops’ operational efforts are yielding results for sustainable peace and return of normalcy in trouble areas.

It therefore assured the public that operational efforts of the Nigerian military are all intended to achieve sustainable peace across the country.

Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General B.E. Onyeuko who stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on military operations between May 1 and 20 said commended the general public for their supports and cooperation in the fight against criminality in the Country.

He said that the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained resolute in their operations and engaged in series of kinetic and non-kinetic operations in all theatres of major and subsidiary operations.

They are working hard “cooperatively and in great synergy with other security and intelligence agencies to gain several successful and credible outcomes in our operations.”

He said that in land operations, “our gallant troops have been actively engaged in constant clearance patrols, ambush, raid, picketing, cordon and search operations as well as artillery bombardments.”

“In the maritime environment, troops conducted various operations involving anti-piracy, anti-illegal oil bunkering, anti-crude oil theft, anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling operations, while the air component conducted comprehensive air operations, which included air patrols, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, offensive air strikes, air interdictions, search and rescue operations as well as close air support for ground troops.”

General Onyeuko said that the troops neutralized scores of terrorists and bandits including senior BHT/ISWAP and ESN commanders as well as major bandit leaders between May 1 and 20.

“Similarly, many of their fighters were incapacitated and their camps destroyed through artillery and air bombardments.”

Additionally,” troops rescued several kidnapped victims and arrested bandits/kidnappers informants and collaborators in different parts of the country.

Our operations also inhibited activities of economic saboteurs as well as exposed and forestalled other criminal activities.,he said.

Troops also recovered large caches of arms and ammunition as well as equipment, vehicles and livestock within the period.

In the maritime domain, troops disrupted smuggling activities, immobilized illegal refining sites, arrested some perpetrators, seized illegally imported rice and other contraband goods as well as recovered petroleum products.

He said “although some of our personnel paid the supreme price in the course of these operations, our dogged troops consistently demonstrated gallantry and resilience.”

General Onyeuko explained that the renaming of the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East from Operation LAFIYA DOLE to Operation HADIN KAI was done to reflect the renewed spirit of jointness in the North East operational environment.

According to him, the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continue to demonstrate “our commitment, synergy and determination to lay down our lives to protect our great Nation.”