By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigerian military on Thursday disclosed that its troops fighting insecurity in the Southeast region have arrested one Pius Iguh, a terrorist leader and founding father of the Eastern Security Network, ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this to newsmen at the Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ, adding that a sting operation carried out by its troops culminated in the arrest of Iguh.
Gen. Buba added that in a separate operation at FOB Amaruku, in Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, troops conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of another Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu
“Relatedly, troops and security forces in a combined sting operation arrested a notorious cult leader named Ifeanyi Rock. He was arrested with 10 of his combatants in Arochukwu in Abia State,” the DHQ stated.
The DHQ said during the recent week under review, troops neutralised 140 and arrested 135 others. “Troops also arrested 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 76 kidnapped hostages”.
In the Niger Delta region, Buba informed that troops denied oil thieves of an estimated sum of N1.8 billion, discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, 41 boats, 70 drums, 22 storage tanks and 47 illegal refining sites. Troops also recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO, Buba added.
“The ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations of the armed forces has dealt significant blows to terrorist capabilities. Troops have denied these terrorists from accomplishing their strategic objectives. As the war wages, troops continue to find innovative solutions to the challenges faced in the conduct of operations and retain operational flexibility.
“Overall, the military assures that it will defeat the terrorists on the battlefield and in their hiding places in order that the country can flourish again. We call on citizens to see themselves as the outstretched arm of the military and never to give terrorism any oxygen to thrive in our nation,” Buba added.