Nigerian troops operating in the North West Zone of the country have arrested a notorious terrorist leader Abubakar Bawa Ibrahim (AKA) Habu Dogo at Rumji Village in Illela LGA of Sokoto.
A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba on Saturday morning stated that “Habu Dogo a wanted terrorist on the watch list of security agencies both in Nigeria and in the Niger Republic because of the cross border nature of his terrorist activities”, was arrested within the week.
Nigerian troops operating in the South East Zone also arrested arrested seven IPOB /ESN terrorists commanders and operatives.
The IPOB/ ESN terror operatives arrested include;Dr Nnamdi Chukwudoze and Chigozie Ezetoha (AKA Chapet) arrested in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. Others are , Mrs Ngozi Chukwuka and Mr Oyekachi Ohia arrested in Umuahia South LGA of Abia States.
Other IPOB operatives arrested are: Mr Ifeanyi Eze , Mr Augustine Udemba and Mr Onyedikachi Udemba arrested in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State. While, Elijah Mmaduipeya Obumneke was arrested in Orsu LGA of Imo State.
The statement said that overall, during the period under review, troops neutralised 187 terrorists and arrested 262 others. Troops also arrested 39 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 147 kidnapped hostages.
In the South South Zone where fight against economic saboteurs is ranging , troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Two Hundred and Fifty Four Million Nine Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty Naira (N1,254,946,630.00) only.
Furthermore, troops recovered 205 assorted weapons and 5,241 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 2 G3 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 89 AK47 rifles, 22 fabricated rifles, 22 dane guns, 2 FN rifle, 2 pistols, 2 fabricated revolver pistols, 27 locally made pistols, 19 pump action guns, 2 pump action shortgun, one DICON pistol, 8 double barrel guns, one barreta pistol and 32 magazines.
Others are: 1,862 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,244 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 131 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 959 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 352 rounds of 9mm ammo, 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ball ammo, 662 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 6 vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 55 mobile phones amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 49 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 72 boats, 21 drums, 30 storage tanks and 98 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 speedboats, one tricycle, 4 pumping machines, one outboard engine, 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 3 vehicles. Troops recovered 1,090,135 litres of stolen crude oil and 873,510 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The director said the ongoing counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations has continued to degrade the combat capacity of terrorist across the country.
“Troops continue to prevail over the terrorists and are winning the war. The terrorist are left with no choice but to surrender or be killed on the battlefield,” he stated.