The Nigerian military has assured that in a short period of time, it will fish out all collaborators and sponsors of terrorism, banditry and all forms of criminality in the country while informing that it has beefed up its intelligence based operations.
John Enenche, Coordinator Defence Media Operations (DMO), said this on Thursday in Abuja.
“The message should be clear to the bad guys out there, people who are benefiting from the nefarious activities of criminals, those who pretend to be Nigerians but do not have the interest of Nigerians and its citizens at heart and think they can hide under any guise. Those who think that they are escaping, it’s just a matter of short time, we will get them,” Enenche said.
“Before now, I will tell you about scores of terrorists, bandits killed, but that is not happening now. What we need to do is to focus on intelligence based operation to clear their collaborators,” he said.
Enenche however noted that other kinetic and non-kinetic operations of the military will continue uninterrupted.
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Speaking on the recent de-radicalization of terrorists, the coordinator said the military have conducted trials and some of the ex-terrorists are in jail at various locations. He however declined to disclose the number of ex terrorists that have been convicted.
The coordinator further giving update on the activities of troops in the South-South zone, said troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained the fight against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal oil bunkering in the zone with significant successes.
He said on November 10, the troops got credible intelligence on plans by vandals to move Shell Petroleum Development Company stolen pipes from Amabuluo Federated Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to an undisclosed location in Warri, Delta State.
“The troops immediately mobilized on a fighting patrol to the general area. During the operation the troops arrested 10 crew men, a Tugboat and Barge loaded with 113 stolen pipes suspected to have been vandalized from the South Forcados Opukushi trunk line. The suspects and all recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action,” he said.
Similarly, Enenche said the Forward Operating Base Ibaka gunboats on routine patrol around Utan Iyata creek intercepted a medium size wooden boat laden with 72 drums of 300 litres with product suspected to be illegally refined AGO being transported to the Republic of Cameroon.
Enenche said the items and the 2 suspects are currently in custody to be handed over to the relevant agency for necessary action.
“In another development, troops of 146 Battalion discovered and immobilized 2 reactivated illegal refineries containing unspecified litres of illegally refined AGO at Samkiri in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State. Additionally, troops of 29 Battalion intercepted 2 locally made boats conveying substance suspected to be crude oil along Ibaa/Rumuji Waterways in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State”, he added.
The coordinator reassured Nigerians of the Military’s unwavering commitment to securing the country for all human activities to strive.
“Members of the general public are enjoined to continue providing timely information on the activities of criminals in their various localities to the nearest military and other security agencies location for prompt and effective action”, he urged.
