Abuja, Nigeria – In a briefing on Friday, Major-General Buba Edward, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that the Nigerian military conducted various operations across the country in 2023, resulting in the elimination of 6,886 terrorists and criminal elements. Additionally, 6,970 suspects were arrested, and 4,488 kidnapped citizens were successfully rescued.
The operations also led to the recovery of 3,320 assorted weapons and 39,075 assorted ammunition. The troops played a crucial role in tackling security threats, contributing to the retrieval of 100 million litres of stolen crude oil and 60 million litres of diesel.
Major-General Buba outlined the predominant threats in 2023, which included banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft, secessionist agitations, and farmers-herders clashes. These threats were observed across different geopolitical zones, with some extending beyond regional boundaries.
The North-Central and North-West regions faced armed banditry and terrorism, while the North-East continued to grapple with the Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State West African Province insurgency. In the South-East and South-West, secessionist agitations by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and the Yoruba Nation were identified as major concerns.
The South-South region Troops dealt with challenges such as oil theft, cultism, and youth restiveness, while various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, communal clashes, and cattle rustling, were common across all six geopolitical zones.
Major-General Buba highlighted the role of the proliferation of small arms in escalating crime rates, citing porous borders and local arms fabrication as contributing factors. He emphasized the armed forces’ efforts to address these threats through both kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
Addressing a specific incident in Plateau State, Major-General Buba explained the challenges faced by troops in responding to attacks due to the vast and rugged terrain. He acknowledged the limitations in reaching certain locations promptly, especially without credible intelligence.
In response to the Troops concerns about an attack on Plateau State and the receipt of letters notifying residents, Major-General Buba assured that such incidents would not recur. He stated, “Attacks on Plateau will never repeat itself,” emphasizing the implementation of measures to eliminate obstacles that hindered timely responses in the past. Additionally, efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the crime.
The military’s actions in 2023 underscore their commitment to addressing security challenges and maintaining stability across Nigeria.