Troops of Operation Udoka in the Southeast have located and detained a founding father and three infamous terrorist leaders of IPOB/ESN in the sub-sectors of Orsu, Imo State, Amaruku, and Arochukwu in Abia State as part of the effort to eradicate insecurity from the country and eliminate terrorist gang commanders and leaders.

According to the defence headquarters, forces killed 24 terrorists, detained 12 violent extremists, and freed one captive who had been abducted during the confrontation to apprehend the commanders.

When announcing this, Major Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated: “A terrorist commander from IPOB was arrested as a result of a sting operation carried out by troops at Forward Operation Base, Orsu. One of the founders of the ESN organisation in the Orsu general region of Imo State is the terrorist commander that was detained, Pius Iguh.

Likewise, during a raid at FOB Amaruku, soldiers apprehended another IPOB terrorist commander who was named as

Onwugu, Emmanuel. He was taken into custody in Abia State’s Mbano LGA.

In a related sting operation, security agents and military detained Ifeanyi Rock, a well-known cult leader. In Arochukwu, Abia State, he and ten of his fighters were taken into custody.

He went on to say, “Operation Udoka troops arrested 12 violent extremists, neutralised 24 terrorists, and freed one hostage who had been kidnapped.”

Among other things, troops found 111 live cartridges, 15 pump action weapons, 4 locally made firearms, 153 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 10 AK-47 rifles, two cars, and four cell phones.

“All seized goods, detained suspects, and freed hostages were turned over to the appropriate authorities for additional handling.

Troops engaged in separate offensive operations with IPOB/ESN terrorists in the Orsu and Obubra LGAs of Imo and Cross River States, respectively, between October 15 and October 18, 2024.

Additionally, troops in Abia State’s Arochukwu LGA made touch with IPOB/ESN militants. After the gunfight, soldiers killed 24 terrorists and freed one captive who had been abducted.

Ten AK-47 weapons, fifteen pump action guns, four locally made firearms, 153 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 111 live cartridges, two cars, and four cell phones were also found by the troops.

Twelve IPOB/ESN terrorists were apprehended and detained by military in separate operations in the Imo State LGAs of Ehime Mbano, Oguta, and Orsu, as well as the Enugu State LGA of Udenu, between October 15 and October 19, 2024.

Buba discussed actions in other theatres, saying, “Over the last week, forces have captured 135 people and neutralised 140. In addition, troops freed 76 captives who had been abducted and detained 18 oil thieves.

Troops in the Niger Delta prevented an estimated N1, 751,886,550.00 (one billion, seven hundred and fifty-one million, eight hundred and eighty-six thousand five hundred and fifty naira) worth of oil theft.

47 illicit refining installations, 33 crude oil cooking furnaces, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, and 22 storage tanks were found and demolished by the troops.Thirteen speedboats, one trike, four motorbikes, and three cars are among the other goods found.

Troops also found 557,210 litres of illegally processed AGO and 1,122,710 gallons of stolen crude oil.

Troops found 241 different weapons and 3,254 different types of ammunition, including 42 AK-47 magazines, 141 AK-47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, 17 fake rifles, 26 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, four locally produced pistols, one barreta pistol, and two bayonets.

Among other things, there are 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 33 rounds of 7.62 by 54mm ammunition, 76 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 113 live cartridges, two Baofeng radios, three cars, thirty-one motorbikes, eighteen cell phones, and a total of N79,052,150.00 and 19$.

According to him, soldiers from Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast killed forty-three terrorists, detained twenty-seven suspects, and freed twenty-five hostages who had been kidnapped. In addition, the troops found 34 empty boxes of PKT ammunition, 10 magazines, 5 motorbikes, 5 cell phones, 210 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 155 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 23 AK-47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, five manufactured rifles, and seven Dane weapons.

Two adult men, eleven adult females, and fourteen minors made up the total of 27 terrorists who turned themselves in to the military in the operating theatre between October 16 and October 22.

Following reliable tips, forces in separate operations intercepted and detained 12 ISWAP/JAS terrorist collaborators and informants in the Borno State LGAs of Monguno, Konduga, and Biu, as well as the Adamawa and Yobe State LGAs of Madagali and Geidam, between October 15 and October 21, 2024.

Troops in separate offensive operations engaged BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists in the Borno State LGAs of Kukawa, Konduga, Ngala, Kaga, Gwoza, and Bama, as well as the Yobe State LGAs of Gujba, Damaturu, and Bursari, between October 16 and October 22, 2024. After gunfights, forces apprehended 15 people and killed 23 militants.

One PKT gun, thirteen AK-47 rifles, two FN rifles, 210 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 155 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, 34 empty PKT cartridge cases, ten magazines, five motorbikes, and five cell phones were also found by the troops.

Twelve hostages were freed, 45 people were apprehended, and 14 violent extremists were neutralised by troops from Operation Safe Haven in North Central. Among other things, the troops found two cell phones, 581 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and seven AK-47 weapons.

Following reports, troops in separate operations apprehended and detained 20 violent extremists/kidnappers, including arms dealers, in the Plateau State LGAs of Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Riyom, Bassa, and Wase between October 15 and October 21, 2024. Twelve AK-47 rifles, six Dane guns, two locally manufactured handguns, 505 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four motorbikes were among the goods that forces retrieved during the raids.

Troops in distinct counter-and-anti-kidnapping operations reacted to reports of kidnapping incidents in Kaduna State’s Sanga and Kaura LGAs between October 15 and October 20, 2024. Similar reports received equivalent responses from troops in Plateau State’s Pankshin, Barkin Ladi, and Jos South LGAs, respectively. Troops apprehended 18 individuals and freed 12 hostages who had been abducted during the operations.

Troops engaged in separate offensive operations with violent extremists and terrorists in Plateau State’s Riyom, Mangu, and Wase LGAs between October 15 and October 22, 2024. After a gunfight, troops killed 14 radicals, detained seven suspects, and found three AK-47 weapons, 76 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two cell phones, among other things.

Twelve hostages were freed, 16 violent extremists were detained, and seven terrorists were neutralised by Operation Whirl Stroke troops. Among other things, the troops found 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 87 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, six AK-47 weapons, and four fake firearms.

Twelve violent extremists and kidnappers, including an informant, were apprehended by troops in different combat patrols in the Taraba State LGAs of Lau, Ardo Kola, Jalingo, and Gassol between October 15 and October 21, 2024. Similar activities were carried out at Nasarawa State’s Keffi LGA.

Following a tip, troops apprehended and detained four violent extremists, including drug dealers, in Katsina-Ala LGA, Benue State, on October 19, 2024.

Troops in separate operations reacted to distress calls on violent extremism and kidnapping activities in Benue State’s Ukum and Logo LGAs on October 10 and 12, 2024.

Ten violent extremists were detained by the army during the operations, while one hostage who had been abducted was freed. Among other things, the troops found 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 87 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, six AK-47 weapons, and four fake firearms.

Troops in distinct counter-and anti-kidnapping operations responded to distress calls on the activities of alleged violent extremists and kidnappers in Benue State’s Ukum LGA on October 17, 2024. Twelve hostages who had been kidnapped were rescued by forces during the operations.

In the North West, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji killed 62 terrorists, detained 29 others, and freed nine captives who had been abducted. In addition, the troops found 85 AK-47 rifles, 14 fake rifles, 13 Dane guns, two locally made handguns, 30 magazines, 4 bayonets, 2 baofeng radios, 22 motorbikes, 11 cell phones, 953 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 629 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 75 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Troops in separate operations responded to reports of terrorist activity and established contact in Zamfara State’s Maru and Tsafe LGAs between October 14 and October 19, 2024. In the Sokoto State LGAs of Binji and Sabon Birnin, troops also made touch with militants.

“After a firefight, troops killed 37 terrorists, detained two suspects, and freed four hostages who had been abducted.” Among the items found by the troops were 71 AK-47 weapons, 7 fake rifles, 11 dane guns, 2 locally made handguns, 31 magazines, 4 bayonets, 2 baofeng radios, 17 motorbikes, 11 cell phones, 641 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 332 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 75 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Troops in distinct counter-and-anti-kidnapping operations responded to reports of suspected violent extremists’ and kidnappers’ activity in the Katsina State LGAs of Faskari and Mulumfashi, as well as the Niger and Sokoto State LGAs of Kontagora and Kebbe, between October 15 and October 21, 2024. Troops apprehended 23 individuals and freed five hostages who had been abducted during the raids.

Among other things, troops found 81 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two Dane guns, and four locally made firearms.

Troops engaged suspected terrorists in separate offensive operations between October 16 and October 21, 2024, in the Katsina State LGAs of Jibia, Kankara, and Dandume, as well as the Kaduna and Zamfara State LGAs of Igabi and Kaura Namoda. After a firefight, four individuals were taken into custody and 25 terrorists were neutralised.

Among other things, the troops found 14 AK-47 weapons, 3 locally made firearms, 7 magazines, 231 rounds of 7.62mm special, 297 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 5 motorbikes.

Twelve hostages were freed, 36 suspects were detained, and three terrorists were neutralised by Operation Whirl Punch troops. Among other things, the troops found three AK-47 weapons, two fake rifles, a handgun, forty-three rounds of 7.62mm NATO, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a car.

Twelve violent extremists and kidnappers were apprehended by military in separate operations in Kabba Bunu, Oshokoshoko, and Lokoja LGAs of Kogi State on October 19, 2024, in response to reliable information. Along with other items, the troops found two fake weapons, 43 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, a handgun, nine rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a vehicle.

While conducting counter- and anti-kidnapping crime operations, troops reacted to reports of a kidnapping occurrence in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja on October 17, 2024. Four hostages who had been kidnapped were rescued by forces during the operations.

Operation Delta Safe troops captured 28 accused oil thieves and other violent extremists in addition to freeing four hostages who had been kidnapped. Additionally, the troops retrieved 55 different types of ammo, one magazine, and 22 different types of weapons.

557,210 litres of illegally processed AGO and 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil were found by the troops. Troops also found and demolished 47 illegal refining installations, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks, 19 dugout trenches, and 33 crude oil cooking stoves.Thirteen speedboats, one trike, four motorbikes, and three cars are among the other goods found.

In Oredo, Ovia South-West, and Owan West LGAs of Edo State, as well as Oshimili South LGA of Delta State, troops apprehended violent extremists and kidnappers and carried out counter- and anti-kidnapping operations.

Following a tip, troops in two different operations apprehended and detained four violent extremists on October 15, 2024, in the Edo State LGAs of Oredo and Ovia South-West. Among them was Adamu Sani, the leader of a kidnapping gang.

After receiving a tip, military apprehended and detained four violent extremists in Delta State’s Oshimili South LGA on October 19, 2024. One AK-47 rifle, one barreta pistol, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, and one AK-47 rifle magazine were among the goods that the forces found during the operations.

In the course of counter- and anti-abduction crime activities, troops reacted to reports of a kidnapping in Edo State’s Owan West LGA on October 17, 2024. Troops recovered two vehicles and three motorbikes during the raids, and they also freed three hostages who had been abducted.

“The armed forces’ continuous counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities,” Major Gen. Buba continued.

These terrorists have been prevented from achieving their strategic goals by troops. Troops maintain operational flexibility and continue to come up with creative solutions to the problems encountered during operations while the battle rages on.

In order for the nation to prosper once more, the military guarantees that it will destroy terrorists both on the battlefield and in their hiding places.

“We urge people to treat themselves as the military’s outstretched arm and to never allow terrorism to flourish in our country.”