Gallant troops overpower ISWAP/Boko Haram commanders in fierce encounters, scores of terrorists wiped out, gun runner nabbed

•Man, wife, terrorists’ collaborators arrested, kidnapped victims rescued

The Nigerian Defence authorities said Thursday that Nigerian troops of OP WHIRL STROKE arrested a notorious gun runner one Mr Ardo Manu Abdulrahaman Maranewo, who has been on the wanted of security.

Maranewo, the wanted criminal, was nabbed on June 20, 2022 in Taraba State, as troops intensified operations against terrorists and criminal elements across the country.

He is said to specialize in selling and leasing arms and ammunition to bandits and kidnappers in Taraba State.

In continuation of series of operations against terrorists kidnappers and other criminal elements, the troops of FOB Bakura Operation HADARIN DAJI on 21 Jun 2022, responded to distress call of terrorists activities at Rafin Dankura in Bakura LGA of Zamfara State engaged the terrorists in a shootout after abducting innocent civilians. Consequently, two bandits were neutralised, six kidnapped civilians were rescued and items such as two AK 47, 1x 36 Hand grenade, 2 x Cell phones and the sum two hundred and nineteen thousand (211,915.00) were recovered.

Also, on June 21 2022 in response to a distress call on terrorists activities made contacts with marauding terrorists at Maigora in Faskari LGA of Katsina State and neutralized two terrorists.

In a similar vein, the gallant troops on June 21, 2022 troops raided a kidnappers enclave at Maraba in Ukyonugu Ityuluv Ward in Ukum LGA of Benue State and arrested a bandits collaborator one Mr Ichen Igbaka (65 years) and his wife, Mrs Salomi Gbaka.

A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Major General Bernard Onyeuko, said the couple uses “their house as a hideout for kidnapped, for late bandit leader Mr Azu”.

The director added: “Suspects and items recovered are in custody for further interrogation”.

According to Onyeuko, “On 19 June 2022 NNS DELTA discovered an Illegal Refining Site around Opumami Creek in Warri South LGA of Delta State. Items recovered includes 2 metal storage tanks, 5 ovens, 7 dug out pits, with 120,300 litres of stolen crude oil. Similarly on the same day located 2 Illegal Refining Sites at Atumakiri with 10 ovens and 15 metal storage tanks with 450,000 litres of AGO and 350,000litres of stolen crude oil”.

For their success in eliminating terrorists and criminal elements, Onyeuko said: “The Military high command congratulates the troops in various operations for their exploits in recent operations”.