The Nigerian military has uncovered an active recruitment campaign by terrorists, particularly members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), on social media platforms.
The revelation was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, in a statement issued on Saturday.
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According to Buba, the ongoing military operations have severely depleted the ranks of the terrorist groups, prompting a desperate attempt by these extremists to recruit new members. He stated, “The sustained offensives by our troops have significantly weakened the terrorists, forcing them to turn to social media to bolster their numbers.”
Buba highlighted the success of synchronized air strikes and ground operations, which have dislodged many terrorists from their hideouts. He noted that on November 6, 2024, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI executed targeted strikes on terrorist enclaves at KWALLARAM and ARAINNA CIKI islands in Borno State.
“These air strikes resulted in the neutralization of over 70 terrorists at KWALLARAM, with several more killed at ARAINNA CIKI,” he revealed.
The military also reported that in recent operations, troops neutralized 169 terrorists and arrested 641 individuals linked to insurgent activities across the country. Additionally, 40 suspects involved in oil theft were apprehended, and 181 kidnapped hostages were rescued.
“In the Niger Delta region, troops thwarted oil theft operations valued at over N1.4 billion,” Buba disclosed. He added that troops seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including 192 assorted firearms and 2,970 rounds of ammunition.
The recovered items comprised 106 AK-47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, an FN rifle, five pump-action guns, and one unexploded RPG bomb.
Further detailing the recoveries, Buba said, “Troops also seized 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1,074 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 146 live cartridges, two radios, seven vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones, and N729,000 in cash.”
In the fight against oil theft, the military discovered and destroyed 83 illegal refining sites and 20 crude oil cooking ovens. They also confiscated 914,445 liters of stolen crude oil, 537,325 liters of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and 1,285 liters of petrol (PMS).
Buba reiterated the military’s commitment to intensifying its offensive operations against terrorists and insurgents nationwide, vowing to continue efforts to eliminate all threats posed by these groups.
