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PRESS BRIEFING BY DIRECTORATE OF DEFENCE MEDIA OPERATIONS ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA’S MILITARY OPERATIONS HELD AT DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS NEW CONFERENCE ROOM ON 11 NOVEMBER 2021

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1. Good morning Gentlemen of the Press.You arewelcome toour briefingon the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s operational activities. The troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have continued to sustain the operational tempo in the land, maritime and air operations across the various theatres of operation in the Country. The operational activities of our troops across the Country in the past 2 weeksrecordedsignificant results. Today’s brief will cover summary of our operational activities from29 Oct to 11 Nov 2021.

OPERATION HADIN KAI

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2. Within the period in focus, the troops of Operation HADIN KAIconducted series of land and air operations across the North East theatre that yielded commendable results. The sustained synergy in the land and air operational efforts have continued to degrade the operational capabilities of the terrorist elements, limit their freedom of action and drive scores of them into surrendering. Some of these operations were executed at different locations in Borno and Yobe States, including; Rann, Dalayazara, GwangeKura, Bam Buratai, Makintakuriand Muduvi villages as well as Marte-Dikwa and BuniYadi-Jauro Bashir roads. In the course of these operations within the period of 2 weeks, 31 terrorists were neutralized and 71 of them arrested including 2 women logistics suppliers namely Mrs Aisha Umar 19 years with a child of (2 years) and MrsKaltumiBakura 20 years all resident at IDP Camp in Bama. Also a total of 122 assorted weapons recovered. Additionally, a total of 97 kidnapped civilians were rescued, while a total of 1,186 of BHT elements and their families comprising 226 adult males, 406 adult females and 555 children surrendered to own troops at different locations in Borno State.
   All recovered items have been handed appropriately and rescued victims reunited with their families, while arrested and surrendered terrorists have been profiled and handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.

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OPERATION HADARIN DAJI

3. Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out extensive land and air operations across the theatre within the period under review. These operations were conducted at different locations including; Maidabino Town in Danmusa LGA as well as Gidan Diya village and Faskari town in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. Other locations were; Gusau – Magami road in Maru LGA; Dauran village in Zurmi LGA and Munhaya forest, all in Zamfara State as well as Zodi Hills along Zuru road in Kebbi State. Cumulatively, a total of 16 criminal elements were arrested; 13 armed bandits were neutralized and6 kidnapped civilians were rescued; while 12 assorted arms and 77 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions were recovered within the period of 2 weeks. Additionally, troops held peace and security meeting with community and youth leaders and other critical Stakeholders, as a of non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges in the North West Zone of the Country.

OPERATION SAFE HAVEN

4. Troops maintained continuous vigilance and dominated Operationthe entire theatre of SAFE HAVEN with constant land and air patrols to deny criminal elements freedom of action. The general security situation in the Zone was relatively calm within the period in focus; however, some locations recorded pockets of incidents. Some of these incidents were recorded at; Boi village in Mangu LGA; Rikko, Gangere and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North LGA; Heipang village in BarkinLadi LGA and Gumsher village in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. Other locations were; Gurawa village under Kundum District in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi State as well as Jankasa village in ZangonKataf LGA, Wasa Station in Sanga LGA and Agban village in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. These operations led to therecovery of 7 assorted arms, 19rounds of 7.62mm and104livestock among other items. Troops’ response to distress calls helped torepel and forestall criminal elementsand their activities, thereby leading to the rescue of33victims of armed bandits’ attacks and kidnap incidents and the arrest of 23 criminal elements within the period.
5. Furthermore, Operation SAFE HAVEN also carried out non-kinetic operationsby engaging youths in sporting activities. Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted Peace and Unity Marathon Competition organized by troops in Mangu LGA of Plateau State. A total of 160 participants from diverse religious and ethnic groups within Plateau State took part in the competition. At the end trophies and prices were presented to participant in the different categories.
   OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
6. OperationWHIRL STROKEhas continued to maintainoperational tempoin both its kinetic and non-kinetic operations in the North Central Zone which yielded significant results.Within the period under review, clearance and raid operations were carried out at Gbise, Katsina-Ala, Zaki-Biam, TunguAtogbenda, Atumbe and Ior Humber in Benue State as well as Agboda, Udeni Gida and Araba Udege communities in Nasarawa State. Cumulatively, a total of 19 arms including AK-47 rifles, Machine Guns, 2 locally-made pistols and 6 extra rifle magazines as well as79 rounds of ammunition were recovered within the period. Other weapons recovered were 36 hand grenades, pump action as well aslocally-made rifles and ammunition. Alsoa total of9 armed bandits were arrested and 3 kidnapped civilians rescued, 2 armed bandits were killed in the course of the operations.
7. Furthermore, troops held peace and security meetingswith community/youth leaders and other critical stakeholders and security agencies at Dobely community in Lau LGA of Taraba State as well as Buruku town in Buruku LGA, Iyoude community and Palaces of the District Heads of Ngbaa and Okpoga communities in Guma LGAs andTseDogo community in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State.

OPERATION DELTA SAFE

10. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFEconducted land, maritime and air operations in the South-South Zone, to forestall activities of economic saboteurs and other criminal elements. Within the period, several anti-illegal oil production and raid operations were executed at different locations in the Zone that yielded significant results. In the course of these operations, troops discovered and deactivated illegal oil refining/bunkering sites. These feats were recorded in Brass, Yenagoa, Nembe, and Southern Ijaw LGAs in Bayelsa State; while in Delta State, some significant achievements were recorded in Sapele, Warri South and Warri South West LGAs. Also attendant results were recorded in Ahoada, Onne, Elele, Isiokpo, Emoha, Port Harcourt, IsongEnwang, Akwa Ibom State, Bonny andIkwere LGAs of Rivers State.
11. Cumulatively, troops discovered and immobilized a total of 20 illegal refining sites,62 ovens, 12 cooking pots/boilers,8 cooling systems, 19 reservoirs, 18 large dugout pits and 88 storage tanks.Additionally, 8 criminal elements, including 2 impostors were arrested and 7arms and 3 rounds of ammunition, among other items were recovered in the course of the operations in the Zone. Additionally, troops rescued 13 kidnapped civilians within the period. Consequently, a total ofone million, two hundred and three thousand, two hundred and fiftylitres(1,252,250ltrs) of illegally refined AGOand one million, one hundred and thirty-eight thousand, three hundred and fortylitres(1,140,340ltrs) of stolen crude were recovered in the course of the operations.Furthermore, troops neutralized 3 armed robbers and rescued 2 kidnappedcivilians; while 5 criminal elements associated with pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering and armed robbery were arrested within the period.
12. Gentlemen of the Press, gleaning from this brief and other parameters there is no gain saying that the efforts ofArmed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, both kinetic and non-kinetic, achieving significant results. We will not relent nor rest on our oars in the fight againstcriminalitiesin all parts of the Country. As always, the Military High Commandcommendsthe continued sacrifices of its troops andcontinuesto salute theircourage andresilience towards achieving sustainable peace in the Country. Wealso thank the general public and the entire press community for their continuous support andencourage allto avail security forces with credible and timely information that will facilitateour proactive engagementsacross all theatres of operation in the Country.
13. Thank you and God bless.

(Pictures of some incidents from the various operations carried out within the period under review are available for your necessary action).

BENARD ONYEUKO
Brigadier General
Acting Director 11 November 2021 Defence Media Operations