By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have been actively engaged in counter-terrorism efforts throughout 2024 with significant success in all theatres of operation across the country.
There had been rejigged operations to address the various security challenges confronting each geopolitical zone of the country such as Operation Hadin Kai in the North East; Hadarin Daji, Whirl Punch and Fassan Yamma in the North West; Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke in the North Central; UDO KA in the South East and Delta Safe in the South-South.
Some of the successes include the surrender of terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition. However, challenges persist, and the military must continue to adapt and improve its strategies to effectively combat terrorism and insecurity in the region.
In the North East, efforts of the military yielded significant successes, including the neutralisation of 8,034 terrorists and the arrest of 11,623 suspects.
The military has also rescued 6,376 hostages and recovered 8,216 weapons, as well as 211,459 rounds of ammunition, demonstrating the military’s commitment to restoring security and stability in the region.
In addition to these successes, the Nigerian Navy has recruited 1,815 new sailors to strengthen joint military operations in the North-east, Niger Delta, and Gulf of Guinea. These new recruits will undergo training to prepare them for counterinsurgency operations, oil theft, and sea piracy.
Overall, the military efforts in northeastern Nigeria in 2024 have shown promise, with significant successes in combating terrorism and insurgency.
However, ongoing challenges require sustained commitment and support to ensure the protection of civilians and the restoration of security and stability in the region.
The North Western part suddenly became the hotbed of terrorists’ activities with a high number of kidnapped hostages, as well as the emergence of Lakurawa group as a dreaded terror group in Sokoto and Kebbi States during the year under review.
However, efforts of the military in combating terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping, recorded significant successes, including the killing of 8,034 terrorists and the arrest of 11,623 suspects, as well as rescue of 6,376 hostages and recovery of 8,216 weapons and 211,459 rounds of ammunition.
In addition to these successes, the Nigerian military has launched various operations aimed at rooting out terrorist groups and bandits.
These operations have been conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
The military’s efforts have also been supported by the establishment of a new battalion in Sokoto State, which is aimed at strengthening security in the northwest region.
In the North Central, the military reported significant successes, including the neutralisation of 8,034 terrorists and arrest of 11,623 suspects.
Overall, the military efforts in North Central Nigeria in 2024 have been focused on restoring security and stability to the region with significant progress.
In South Eastern Nigeria, troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained efforts as part of the broader national security strategy, to checkmate activities of the armed group known as the Eastern Security Network (ISN) under the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).
The troops neutralised 666 terrorists, arrested 893 suspects and rescued 323 kidnap hostages during the year.
In the Niger Delta, the Nigerian military has been actively working to combat crude oil thieves in 2024.
One of the notable efforts is the formation of a monitoring team by the Nigerian military to help the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) crack down on petroleum theft.
The military has also reported significant successes in their operations against oil thieves.
For instance, troops of the 6 Division Nigerian Army confiscated over 170,000 liters of stolen products, dismantled 19 illegal refining sites, arrested several oil thieves, and demobilised 21 boats used for crude theft across the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
Also, the Nigerian armed forces prevented oil theft valued at over N10 billion during the second quarter, demonstrating the military’s commitment to tackling the issue of crude oil theft in Nigeria.
The military’s operations have also led to the recovery of various items, including pipes, welding cables, shovels, rubber buckets, and black leather. These items are often used by oil thieves to carry out their illegal activities.
Overall, the Nigerian military’s efforts against crude oil thieves in 2024 have been significant, and their operations continue to disrupt the activities of these economic saboteurs.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has recently commended the armed forces for their ongoing onslaught against terrorists, particularly in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kaduna States.
Matawalle praised the armed forces for their precise air strikes targeted at the terrorist strongholds in Zurmi, Gusau, and Maradun Local Government Areas, which resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their infrastructure, as well as clearance exercise in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna.
According to him, with military precision they successfully identified and neutralised the camps of prominent terrorist figures Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur.
“We appreciate and commend the untiring efforts of our gallant servicemen and women who participated in this operation with utmost dedication and precision,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had during the just concluded COAS Annual Conference, said the Nigerian army has intensified its operations against terrorism and banditry under Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA in the North East and North West theatres, respectively.
Oluyede said the army had also made efforts to dismantle the Lakurawa terror group’s networks in the North West.
To address the issue of fatigue among troops, Oluyede announced plans to begin the systematic rotation of frontline troops by January 2025 to preserve the physical and mental well-being of troops, prevent fatigue, and boost morale. (NANFeatures)
