The military high command on Thursday urged citizens to remain resilient and contribute to finding solutions in the ongoing fight against insurgency.
The military said troops have neutralized 286 terrorists and arrested 244 others. They also apprehended 83 oil thieves and rescued 122 kidnapped victims.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this at bi-weekly press briefing in the ongoing military operations, in Abuja.
He emphasized that military efforts alone cannot win the fight against insurgency. He urged citizens to contribute “practical ideas and solutions” and highlighted the importance of “good governance” in addressing the root causes of conflict.
Gen. Buba highlighted the importance of
addressing the root causes of insurgency beyond military means through increasing support for government initiatives through good governance and community engagement.
He said: “During the week under review, troops neutralised 286 and arrested 244 of them. Troops also arrested 83 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 122 kidnapped hostages.
“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N2,565,479,720 only.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 587 assorted weapons and 7,943 assorted ammunition.
“The breakdown as follows: 207 AK47 rifles, 56 locally fabricated guns, 17 pump action guns, 10 locally fabricated pistols, 22 dane guns, one FN rifle, 6 double barrel automatic pump action, 2 double barrel guns, 2 x 36 hand grenades and 10 IEDs.
Others are: 4,088 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,529 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 138 rounds of 9mm ammo, 39 rounds of 7.62mm refilled ammo, 331 P445 rounds of 7.62mm special, 180 rounds 5.5mm ammo, 2 PKT link of 7.62mm special, 445 live cartridges, 67 magazines, 6 HH radios,14 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, 34 mobile phones and the sum of N4,876,950.00 amongst other items.
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and discovered and destroyed 134 dugout pits, 79 boats and 116 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 149 cooking ovens, one speedboat, 11 vehicles, 8 motorcycles and 74 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 2,947,770 litres of stolen crude oil, 251,800 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,125 litres of DPK and 6,790 litres of PMS.
On one hand, the above is indicative of the fact that troops are recording successes week in and week out in the ongoing counters insurgency operations across the country.
“On the other hand,the classic principle of counterinsurgency is that you can not win this kind of war militarily.”
He further noted that “there is no doubt that, the times that we are in, is difficult and therefore a watershed moment for our country.
“Citizens are urged to realize that tough times do not last, but tough people do. As a people, we are renowned for our pride in being tough and resilient.
“There is a a no better time to manifest these qualities in us in overcoming the pains of today, in order for the gains of tomorrow. I dare say that, this too shall pass.
“The time is ripe for patriotic and well-meaning citizens to contribute alternative ideas on ways to make a difference in turning the situation around.
“Collaborative effort is essential at this time. Simply put, we are one people, one nation and one destiny”.
