Kidnapping Epidemic: Nigerian Military Arrests Over 200 Suspects, Recovers 113 AK-47 Rifles In One Week

The Defence Headquarters in Abuja reported that, within the past week, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have eliminated 185 terrorists, apprehended 212 individuals, and successfully rescued 71 kidnapped victims as part of their efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the country.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operation (DMO) Major General Edward Buba, on Friday.

According to General Buba, during the week under review, "Troops neutralised 185 and arrested 212 of them. Troops also arrested 44 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 71 kidnapped hostages.

"In the South-South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1,065,885,050.00 only."

Furthermore, he said, "Troops recovered 224 assorted weapons and 2,337 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows, 113 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, one PKT gun, 44 locally fabricated guns, 4 pump action guns, 2 pistols, 2 locally fabricated pistols, one berretta pistol, 25 dane guns, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, one locally fabricated revolver gun and 7 IEDs primed.

"Others are 1,382 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 387 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 74 rounds of 9mm ammo, 23 K2 rounds ammo, 111 live cartridges, 5,410 empty cases of 7.62mm special, 6 empty cases of cartridges, 2 magazines loaded with 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 magazines, one pistol magazine, 2 bandoliers, 2 vehicles, 22 motorcycles, 47 mobile phones, 11 HH radios and the sum of N2,369,670 amongst other items."

He stated further that, "Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 12 dugout pits, 61 boats, 56 storage tanks and 13 vehicles. Other items recovered incl 78 cooking ovens, 4 pump machines and 51 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 815,980 litres of stolen crude oil, 163,675 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,750 litres of DPK."

Buba however stressed that, the military understands the true extent of the threat we are facing as a nation, noting that, the military is "facing and winning the war."

Insisting that, "Countering insurgency is not a sprint but rather a marathon. Accordingly, troops are taking the fight to the terrorist and making strides each passing day. Much has been done, and much more is still being done to achieve peace and security across the country."

This is as he said, "The armed forces are not oblivious of the security challenges across the country in recent times, particularly with the spike in kidnappings for ransom.

Whether or not advertised crowd funding is contributing to the kidnappings across the country remains an ongoing debate.

"The ugly trend of kidnappings has dimed the light on the successes by gallant troops in combating the terrorists, insurgents and their cohorts across the country to create a safer environment for citizens.

"The military recognises the urgency for an immediate turnaround of the situation and is therefore actively working for peace and security across the country. It is worthy of mention to state that, achieving enduring peace in the country , requires that there is a change in the conditions that make the terrorist, insurgents and their cohorts willing to fight and carry dastardly acts on fellow citizens.

"The  situation therefore calls for all hands on deck with everyone playing their role towards achieving enduring peace. The armed forces on its part have boots on the ground strategically deployed across the country to combat the terrorist, insurgents and their cohorts," he said.