The Nigerian Armed Forces said they have neutralized 9,303 Terrorists, 6,988 terrorists including their logistic suppliers and informants arrested, while 4641 hostages were rescued in one year.
Director Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba who made the disclosure during a one year score card joint press conference by the Strategic Communications Interagency Advisory Policy Committee, noted that 9,562 Boko Haram/ISWAP combatant fighters and their families surrendered to security forces.
In the fight against oil theft, General Buba explained that 1,437 perpetrators were apprehended, with 363 neutralized. Additionally, 245 kidnapped hostages were rescued, leading to a marked improvement in prevention of crude oil theft.
According to the DMO, the Department of Stat Services and other intelligence agencies played a critical role in safeguarding national security through intelligence gathering and covert operations. The seamless interagency coordination, ensured timely utilisation of provided intelligence.
Buba said the Nigeria Police during the period of the year, arrested 4,796 armed robbery suspects, 3,068 kidnap suspects, 2,474 suspects for rape/sexual crimes, and 1,213 suspects for unlawful possession of firearms.
In a related development, Director, Public Relations & Strategic
Communications DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya called for collective effort to ensure security and safety of Nigerians.
Nigeria Police Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while filling questions from journalists on the cyber crime act been targeted at Journalists, explained that the police are doing what the law stipulates, as according to him, no body is above the law, as he advised Nigerians to always honour invitation by the police to avoid forceful arrest.
The joint Press Conference by the Strategic Communications Interagency Advisory Policy Committee was to brief Nigerians on the successes recorded by the security agencies within a year.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director, DMO.
Dr. Peter Afunanya, Director, PR & Strategic Communications, DSS.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, NPF Spokesman