THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa has accused some powerful individuals of frustrating the Nigerian government’s efforts to end insurgency in the country.
Musa, who spoke in Abuja, after receiving 58 rescued kidnapped victims from the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, assured that those individuals, who are frustrating the campaign against terror would not be allowed to have their way.
He said “you can see the freed people, women, children, both girls and boys, and the little ones.
“The question you want to ask is why would somebody kidnap these kinds of people? If you see them, they are barely just surviving.”
The defence chief stated that contrary to the belief of many Nigerians, not all who were involved in banditry joined willingly. According to him, some of them were conscripted.
He assured that the troops would ensure that the perpetrators face the wrath of the law.
The CDS said that the military were going after the perpetrators.
“For the innocent blood they have spilled, for those they have restricted their freedom, the security personnel will get back at them, and they will face the law,” he added.
Musa further explained that no ransom was paid to free the victims, and appealed to citizens to give the security agencies the needed support in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
“It’s a joint effort. We’re able to do that through non-kinetic means of getting across. No penny was paid for these individuals.”
The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center, Maj Gen Adamu Laka, while speaking, stated that preliminary investigation had revealed that the victims were kidnapped by armed bandits under the command of a notorious terrorist, Janbros.
Laka explained that during the kidnap, the victims were made to trek hundreds of kilometres to the thick forest of BirninGwari.
He pointed out that the government provided all with all the necessary assistance required to stabilise them, for subsequent handing over to the NSA for rehabilitation and immediate medical checkups.
Six of the rescued victims were admitted in hospital, he added.
Laka further explained that the six admitted victims have recovered and joined others for subsequent handing over to their respective families.
… As Army Deactivates 46 Illegal Refineries, Destroys 47 Boats
. Arrests 28 Oil thieves In Niger Delta
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army combating oil theft and economic sabotage have deactivated 46 illegal refinery sites and destroyed 47 boats used for siphoning crude oil in the Niger Delta.
Additionally, 28 suspects have been arrested, and 95,000 liters of stolen crude products confiscated.
In a statement released, yesterday, the Army noted: “The 6 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, has scaled up ongoing anti-illegal oil bunkering operations across the Niger Delta region.
In the latest achievements, troops recovered arms and ammunition, deactivated 46 illegal refining sites, destroyed 47 boats used to ferry stolen products across the treacherous terrain, and arrested 28 oil thieves with over 95,000 liters of stolen products recovered.”
The operations conducted from November 11 to 17, 2024, were targeted at the criminal networks perpetrating oil theft leading the arrest.
