By Helen Udoh,Outlook Media ABUJA.
The armed forces remains steadfast in its role as an element of national power utilised to protect and project the national interest of the nation. Accordingly, ongoing operations across the country are in support of national security interest.
During the week under review, troops neutralised 253 and arrested 172 persons. Troops also arrested 15 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 206 kidnapped hostages.
This was contained in a statement signed by Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations and made available to Outlook Media on Friday in ABUJA.
In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of One Billion Seventy Three Million Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N1,073,829,500.00) only.
Furthermore, troops recovered 251 assorted weapons and 4,113 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: one GPMG, 118 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated gun, 47 dane guns, 6 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated pump action guns, 5 double barrel guns, 4 single barrel guns, 4 locally fabricated pistol, 4 IED, 60mm mortar tube, 2 AK butts, MRAP and one bandolier.
Others are: 2,047 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 942 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 9mm ammo, 342 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 334 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 252 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 110 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ball, 299 live cartridges, 32 magazines, 2 baofeng radios, 2 KYD radios, 8 vehicles, 41 motorcycles, 27 bicycles, 41 mobile phones and the sum of N74,702,320.00 only amongst other items.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 22 dugout pits, 37 boats, 70 drums, 4 receiver, 4 reservoirs and 29 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 215 cooking ovens, 13 vehicles, 4 wheelbarrows, one tricycle, one motorcycle, 5 mobile phones, one speedboat, 2 KYD radios, 2 outboard engines and 75 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 1,047,050 litres of stolen crude oil and 205,550 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The operations across the country are a testament of the tireless effort of the military to prevent anarchy, unrest and national security destabilization. For these reasons, the armed forces is deserving of the pride of place as the nations symbol of national unity and resilience.
Based on the foregoing, it is instructive for citizens to extend utmost respect for their armed forces, rather than degraded the institution. It would be counterproductive and amounts to self sabotage to do otherwise.
