Gom Mirian
The Nigerian Military High Command announced on Friday that its troops, deployed across the country, have successfully rescued 4,712 civilians who were held hostage by criminal elements in the past year.
The Director of Defence Media, Operation Major General Edward Buba, while giving the military scorecard for 2023, revealed that the military also eliminated over 8,564 terrorist fighters and recovered 4,684 assorted weapons and more than 518,815 assorted ammunition during encounters with the criminals.
According to him, the security situation in the North East Zone remains relatively stable, with the primary challenge being Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorism.
He said: “Despite the military’s efforts to degrade the terrorists, isolated attacks and the planting of Improvised Explosive Devices continue to pose threats. However, the military is committed to reviewing and improving its tactics to counter these challenges.
“In the South-South Zone, the security situation has been marked by cultism, kidnapping, youth restiveness, and robbery, with militancy evolving into pipeline vandalism and oil theft. The Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network has also attempted to extend its influence into the region.
“The Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation DELTA SAFE has intensified efforts to combat illegal oil bunkering and associated criminal activities, resulting in a decrease in illegal bunkering activities in the second half of 2023.
“Overall, Operation DELTA SAFE neutralised suspected oil thieves, recovered 300 assorted weapons, and 1,731 assorted ammunition, and rescued 533 hostages during the year. The operationalization of Forward Operating Bases SOBE and BIASE in Edo and Cross Rivers States has contributed to checking criminal activities in the area.
“The military’s relentless efforts have significantly degraded the terrorists’ fighting capability, leading to the revival of commercial activities and the return of local authorities and Internally Displaced Persons to some localities.
“This has resulted in increased farming activities in several Local Government Areas. The terrorists’ fighting capacity has been reduced due to ongoing military pressure, leading to a decrease in their disruptive attacks,” Buba added.
