October 24, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Nigerian armed forces have killed at least 140 terrorists and arrested 135 suspects in a single week.
Among those captured are high-profile separatists linked to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), including founding father Pius Iguh and commander Emmanuel Onwugu.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, announced the successful operation, revealing that Iguh was arrested in Imo State’s Orsu Local Government Area, while Onwugu was apprehended in Abia State’s Mbano Local Government Area.
He said, “In the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader. The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of the ESN group in the Orsu general area of Imo State.
“Similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu. He was arrested in Mbano LGA of Abia State.
“Relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock. He was apprehended with ten of his combatants in Arochukwu in Abia State.
“Meanwhile, during the week under review, troops neutralised 140 terrorists, arrested 135 persons, and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages.”
Buba also stated that a total of 18 suspected oil thieves were arrested and stolen crude oil worth N1.7 billion was recovered.
He said, “Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft. Troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1,751,886,550.00. Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks, and 47 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 13 speedboats, one tricycle, four motorcycles, and three vehicles, among others. Troops recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO.”
He further stated that troops recovered 241 weapons and 3,254 rounds of ammunition.
“The breakdown is as follows: 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, 17 fabricated rifles, 26 Dane guns, 13 pump-action guns, four locally made pistols, one Beretta pistol, two bayonets, and 42 AK47 magazines.
“Others include 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 76 rounds of 9mm ammo, 113 live cartridges, two Baofeng radios, three vehicles, 31 motorcycles, 18 mobile phones, and the sum of N79,052,150.00 and $19, among other items,” he added.
