Defence Headquarters, on Friday, issued a stern warning to non-state actors and their allies who visit violence, sorrow and misery on innocent Nigerians to stop their criminal enterprise or pay with their life!
The warning rang out through a press statement issued by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major Geneneral Edward Buba, who disclosed that with the solid support that the military now enjoys from the citizens, the days of criminal elements in the country are numbered.
In a nutshell, General Buba told the criminals to surrender or be sent on a journey of no return to their master, the devil. He said the military will sustained the current momentum and make the country too hot for criminals to operate in.
“The uncommon cooperation, collaboration, and support received from citizens across the country are greatly assisting our operations to yield expected results,” Buba said. “Nigerians are speaking up, and the military is doing something about it.
“Given the active participation of citizens in exposing the activities of these evil elements, their days are surely numbered. (They) either surrender now or exit this world. The military would sustain the momentum. Therefore, if you know something, say something and the military will do something.”
He then gave statistics of the military’s successes in the last couple of weeks, revealing that troops eliminated 38 terrorists and arrested 175 gunmen.
“During the week leading to August 11, 2023,” Buba continued, “the military neutralized 38 terrorists, arrested 175 gunmen/criminals, 20 kidnappers, 30 collaborators, and 17 pipeline vandals.
“The military also rescued 89 kidnapped hostages. Troops denied the oil theft saboteurs the sum of N607,346,750.00 being the value of seizures.”
That’s not all. Buba also disclosed that between July 31 and August 3, 2023, troops arrested 18 suspected members of a criminal group in Borno State known as ‘Malians’.
His exact words: “Between July 31 and August 3, 2023, troops responded to intelligence of a notorious criminal gang known as Malians hibernating at Bolori 2 general area, Jajeri Bayan Quarters, and Tudu general in Maiduguri Municipal City of Borno State.
“The operation yielded results as troops arrested 18 suspected gang members. Troops recovered substances suspected to be cannabis, cough syrup, and five mobile phones.”