The military has advised residents of forested areas in three North Western states to relocate ahead of a bombardment campaign against bandits and terrorists in the areas.
The exercise is to ensure that the residents are not affected by the bombardment.
The military gave the advice through advertisements aired in pidgin English, Hausa, Kanuri and Fulani, on radio and television stations in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states.
Reuters reported that the advertisements which promised to “protect the life and property of Nigerians,” were confirmed by a military source.
Meanwhile, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, in a statement on Thursday, said in the past two weeks, combined forces of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, sustained aggressive operations to deny terrorists further freedom of action.
He said troops conducted fighting patrols, ambushes and clearance operations at communities, villages and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama and Guzamala Local Government Areas all in Borno State.
Danmadami noted that two key Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province commanders, Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida aka A Qaid, were neutralised on September 12 and 15, 2022 at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa forest respectively.
“Within the period in review, troops neutralised 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians, and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP logistic suppliers.
“ 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, four unexplosive ordinance store, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, one tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.00, were recovered from the operation,” he said.
He noted that a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists and ISWAP criminals and their families, comprising 53 adult males, 116 adult females, and 214 children, surrendered to troops at different locations.
He added that the armed forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, recovered crude oil and gas worth N537, 090,102.12, within the last two weeks, as they sustained aggressive operations in the Niger Delta region.
Danmadami added that the troops conducted patrol, raids, clearance and swamp buggy operations in the creeks, villages, communities and towns in Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.
“A total of N134, 670,255.72 of Automotive Gas Oil and N402, 419,846.04 were denied the oil thieves. Accordingly, a total approximated value of product denied oil thieves within the period under review is N537, 090,102.12,” he said.
