On Thursday, the Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, announced that the service chiefs have significantly increased their productivity, resulting in notable achievements over the past year.
Speaking at the Ministerial Sectorial Update in Abuja, Badaru highlighted that the collaboration among the service chiefs and sister agencies has led to the elimination of over 9,300 bandits and insurgents, with 7,000 arrests made in the last year.
He said, “The Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff are now working together more effectively than before. This collaboration has resulted in greater productivity and efficiency. Additionally, we have close cooperation with the National Security Adviser’s office, the police, NSCDC, and other security agencies.”
“This synergy has yielded significant progress over the past year. We have neutralized over 9,300 bandits and insurgents, arrested around 7,000, and rescued 4,641 kidnapped victims in just one year. We have also recovered 4,882 assorted weapons and 83,900 rounds of ammunition. Among those neutralized are over 20 bandit leaders who commanded large groups of insurgents and terrorists.”
Badaru also mentioned that 1,437 suspects have been arrested and 363 killed by the military in efforts to boost oil production in the country.
He noted that ongoing operations against oil theft have significantly reduced illegal refineries.
“In our efforts to improve crude oil production, we have arrested 1,437 suspects, neutralized 363, and freed 245 captives in the Niger Delta region. We have destroyed 3,051 dug pits, 1,276 boats, and 3,924 storage tanks. Most illegal refineries are now down, and many vessels have been arrested,” Badaru added.
