The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has advised terrorists, bandits and kidnappers to surrender or be killed, warning that there is no third option.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces.

Buba said “Since the beginning of the year, several terrorists and their leaders have been killed or badly injured owing to offensive actions by both land and air forces. Troops are continuing their actions even at this very moment and we are proud of them and appreciate their brave conduct.

“Even though it might not seem that way due to recent events across the country, the fact remains that, our goal is to restore peace and security for citizens to have an enjoyable life. We will continue to do that in spite of the current circumstances. Troops will continue fighting with great effort, determination and sacrifice to bring about great results.

Towards this end, he said, “For instance, in the month of January 2024, troop’s neutralized 266 terrorists arrested 463 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 116 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 447 assorted weapons and 6,697 assorted ammunitions.

“In the month of January 24, troops operating in the Niger Delta denied oil theft of the estimated sum of over N2.825billion (Two Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty One Million Five Hundred and Three Thousand and Nine Hundred Sixty Two Naira (N2,821,503,962.00).

“In the month of January, troops recovered 237 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 18 pump action guns, 55 Dane guns, 6, 807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 421 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm and 506 live cartridges.

Others are 1,832,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 523,799 litres of illegally refined AGO, 16,716 litres of DPK and 5,200 litres of PMS amongst other item.

Speaking on operations in the last one week, Gen Buba said, “Troops neutralized 105 terrorist and arrested 140 of them while also arresting 26 perpetrators of oil theft.

“Troops and rescued 86 kidnapped hostages and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of over N220. 83million (Two Hundred and Twenty Million Eight Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand and Five Hundred Naira (N220, 839,500.00)”

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 18 illegal refining sites, 9 dugout pits, 19 boats, 21 storage tanks, 8 vehicles, 35 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and troops recovered 157,300 litres of stolen crude oil, 23,750 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,050 litres of DPK.

“Troops recovered 208 assorted weapons and 5,332 assorted ammunition comprising 95 AK47 rifles, one assault rifle, 39 locally fabricated guns, 34 Dane guns, 14 pump action guns, 4 fabricated pistol, 3 fabricated pump action gun, one fabricated revolver pistol, 2 fabricated double barrel guns and locally fabricated arty pieces.

“Others are: 3,830 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 640 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 265 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 359 live cartridges, 8 magazines, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N383,200.00 amongst other items.

Detailing the encounters, he said, “troops of Operation Hadin Kai in North East neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 4 BH/ISWAP terrorists; recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated guns, 12 Dane guns, 353 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 209 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 34 live cartridges, 62 mobile phones and the sum of N100, 000.00 among others.

“Troops of Operation Safe Haven in North Central neutralized 6 insurgents, arrested 44 violent extremists and 6 rescued kidnapped hostage. Troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, 3 Dane guns, 2 locally fabricated arty pieces, 279 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 285 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 30 rounds of 9mm ammo, 45 live cartridges and one motorcycle.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in neutralized 29 insurgents arrested 21 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 14 AK47 rifle, 4 locally fabricated guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 8 Dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, one fabricated revolver gun, 1,156 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 100 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 30 rounds of 7.62 x 59mm ammo, 34 rounds of 9mm ammo, 23 live cartridges, 4 magazines, one motorcycle, 7 mobile phones and cutlasses amongst others.

“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in North West neutralized 57 insurgents, arrested 5 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 66 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops recovered 49 AK47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 3 fabricated pump action guns, 2 fabricated revolver, 3 Dane guns, 639 rounds of 7.62mm special, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 165 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62 unit of 51mm ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62 units of 39mm ammo, 89 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 live cartridges, 19 magazines, 5 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N224,200.00 amongst other items.

“On 30 January 2024, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji in a close air support operation conducted air interdiction at terrorist’s kingpin Maudi Maudi enclave Safana LGA of Katsina State. Following a confirmatory ISR on hibernation of terrorists in the enclave, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 11 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one assault rifle, 4 Dane guns, 146 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 32 live cartridges, 6 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and the sum of N49, 200.00 amongst other items.

“On 1 and 2 February 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 6 suspected violent extremists/insurgents in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils of FCT Abuja and Kachia LGA of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops recovered 25 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 mobile phones, Jack knife, assorted charms and the sum of N25, 000.00.

“On 30 January and 1 February 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/insurgents informant in Kuje and Gwagwalada Area Councils of FCT Abuja. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects identified as Badamasi Mohammed have strong affiliation with kidnapping syndicate. He has been arrested numerous times but kept getting released.

“On 31 January 2024, troops on stop and search operation responded to information on kidnapping incident in AMAC of FCT, Abuja. On sighting troops, the violent extremists/kidnappers fled abandoning their victims. During the operation, troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.

“On 2 February 2024, troops while on stop and search operation intercepted and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages in Munya LGA of Niger State.

“Troops of Operation Delta Safe in Niger Delta rescued 3 kidnapped hostages and apprehended 50 suspects for oil thefts and other violent extremists/insurgents. Troops also recovered 20 weapons and 243 ammunitions amongst other items.

“Troops of Operation Udoka in the South East neutralized 6 insurgents and arrested 5 violent extremists. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 3 pump action guns, 2 fabricated pistols, 2 Dane guns, and 1,257 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 56 live cartridges, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 10 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo and one mobile phone amongst other items. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.

Continuing, Gen Buba said, “Our nation is at war, and wars can be complex and ugly. Already, we are witnessing some of the ugly trends of war across the country. It is time for citizens to close ranks with the military to win this war. Citizens are critical in war, and must therefore be quick to realize their role in the ongoing war and act accordingly.

“I urge all segments of society to take example from our gallant troops in the frontlines fighting to achieve the goal of liquidating terrorists and insurgents across the country in order to restore peace and security. These men and women are from all the nooks and cranny of our country, and act shoulder to shoulder as a united force to achieve a common cause of destroying camps of violence in the country.

“Just like our footballers are doing to make the nation proud in the ongoing AFCON, our musicians and artists are doing on the world stage and our athletes flying our flags high with pride. It is not beyond us with our resilient spirit to quench the fires of violence across the country.

“Unity is key to our victory in overcoming the security challenges confronting us as a nation. Indeed, it must be said that, militaries don’t go to war; rather it is nations that go to war.”