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The Defence Headquarters on Thursday said troops have arrested a terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, said to be the founding father of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafran (IPOB), and its security arms, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Edward Buba, disclosed this in Abuja at the bi-weekly press briefing on the Military operations.
He said the suspect was picked up at a location in Imo State during a sting operation conducted by the troops of Forward Base Operation FOB operating in the South East Theatre.
His words: “Troops continue to deepen operational successes across the various theatres of operation. For instance, in the South East theatre, troops at FOB Orsu conducted a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of an IPOB terrorist leader.
“The arrested terrorist leader, identified as Pius Iguh, is a founding father of ESN group in Orsu general area of Imo State.”
Gen Buba stated that similarly, troops at FOB Amaruku conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of another IPOB terrorist commander identified as Emmanuel Onwugu, who was arrested in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State.
Major General Edward Buba,t Defence Media Operations revealed this on Thursday whilst briefing newsmen in Abuja on the milestone successes recorded by the troops during its operational engagement within the past week.
He said troops also accomplished another milestone success with the arrest of another Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) terrorist commander, Emmanuel Onwugu, in Mbano Local Government Area of Abia State, by troops at FOB Amaruku.
He further noted that a combined sting operation led to the capture of notorious cult leader Ifeanyi Rock, along with 10 of his combatants, in Arochukwu, Abia State.The Director described the military’s accomplishments during the week under review as nothing but remarkable.
The Defence spokesman said troops eliminated 140 terrorists and arrested 135 persons, significantly crippling terrorist networks, 18ing that about18 perpetrators of oil theft were also apprehended while 76 kidnapped hostages were rescued.
General Buba emphasized that these milestone successes recorded within the week underscore the military’s unwavering commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens.
According to him, “An estimated value of N1,751,886,550.00 was denied to oil thieves, dealing a substantial financial blow to illicit activities.The military also recovered an impressive array of weaponry, including 241 assorted weapons and 3,254 assorted ammunition.
“Specifically, troops seized 141 AK47 rifles, one PKT gun, two FN rifles, and 17 fabricated rifles, severely limiting terrorist firepower within the period under review.
“Other recovered items include 2,016 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 970 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 33 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, further crippling terrorist capabilities.
“In the Niger Delta area, troops discovered and destroyed 33 crude oil cooking ovens, 19 dugout pits, and 47 illegal refining sites, effectively dismantling illicit oil operations.
He said within the period, troops also recovered 1,122,710 litres of stolen crude oil and 557,210 litres of illegally refined AGO, significantly disrupting the illicit oil trade”, he said.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Force’s commitment to defeating terrorism and called on citizens to support these efforts by denying terrorism any opportunity to thrive.
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