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Nigerian troops have successfully neutralised several terrorists, including a notorious leader identified as Nkwachi Eze, also known as Onowu, who had long been on the military’s wanted list.
The update was given by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, during a press briefing on ongoing military operations across the country’s geopolitical zones, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
General Kangye revealed that Eze was responsible for orchestrating numerous attacks and kidnappings across the South East region. His elimination marks a significant milestone in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
In a related operation, troops also apprehended Buhari Umar, a wanted suspected arms dealer and head of a kidnapping syndicate reportedly active across Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and Kaduna States.
Further west, troops from Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested a five-man kidnapping ring in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The suspects were identified as Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Idi Yusuf, Adamu Danmai, and Hassan Bello.
General Kangye reported that over the recent operational period, 430 individuals involved in oil theft, terrorism, and other criminal activities were apprehended, while 173 kidnapped victims were rescued. Additionally, more than 204 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendered to the armed forces.
Significant gains were also recorded in the Niger Delta under Operation DELTA SAFE, where troops thwarted crude oil theft valued at over ₦1.93 billion during the past week.
The breakdown of recovered materials includes: 1,009,733 litres of stolen crude oil; 304,811 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO); 3,480 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK); 19,875 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS); and 1,600 litres of engine oil.
Troops also destroyed 351 crude oil cooking ovens, 418 dugout pits, 30 boats, 9 speedboats, 160 storage tanks, 721 drums and 95 illegal refining sites
Other seized items included pumping and drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 42 vehicles.
The military also recovered large caches of arms and ammunition, including automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally manufactured firearms, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), live cartridges, and assorted rounds.
General Kangye reiterated that the Nigerian Armed Forces remain committed to carrying out operations within the framework of the law, respecting human rights, and adhering to global best practices. Their ongoing efforts are aimed at ensuring national security, supporting regional stability, and defending the sovereignty of the nation.
The briefing concluded with a moment of silence in honour of the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
