THE Defense Headquarters announced today that it has intensified its air and ground monitoring in the Federal Capital Territory and surrounding areas in response to the recent surge in kidnappings in the nation’s capital. Over 15 persons have been abducted in the FCT since the beginning of the year.
In a statement, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, also reported that military forces have destroyed terrorist hideouts in Abuja, Niger, and Kaduna. He assured residents that the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, is actively working to combat the increasing criminal activities in the FCT.
The statement emphasized the impact of kidnappings on affected families and the fear they create among citizens. It also conveyed the military’s commitment to addressing the situation through increased surveillance, deployment of technology for detection, and intensified operations to locate and dismantle terrorist groups.
“While troops probably don’t have all the answers as of now. Citizens should be rest assured that the armed forces are working relentlessly to address the hurtful situation. Additionally, troops are synergizing with other security services and stakeholders to investigate and gather more intelligence on these kidnapping gangs, particularly around the FCT.
“Troops have prioritized the areas of these kidnappings and increased both ground and air surveillance over the areas. Technologies have also been deployed to more easily detect these kidnapping gangs in their hideouts and enclaves.
“Furthermore, troops increased the tempo of operations in order to find, degrade, and destroy the terrorists and cohorts wherever they were hiding. In the FCT and environs, some of the areas cleared by troops so far include Kawu, Gaba, Deidei, Kubwa Hills, and Ushafa in the FCT, Garam, Jibi, and back of Zuma Rock in Niger State, as well as Gidan Dogo and Kuyeri/Kuyeri Hills in Kaduna State. There have also been intensified night patrols in the Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, and Airport Rd among others.”
Additionally, the military reported the elimination of three top terrorist leaders and the neutralization of 43 terrorists in the North East, along with arrests related to oil theft and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.
“In the North East, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI, on 10 January 2024, eliminated three top ISWAP terrorist commanders in Borno State. The three commanders identified as; Abou Maimuna, Abou Zahra, and Commander Saleh with their lieutenants in a canoe, were targeted and destroyed by the air strikes.
” Overall, the operations during the week resulted in 43 neutralized terrorists with 76 of them arrested. Troops also arrested 29 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied oil theft of the estimated sum of N131,101,750.00 only.”
He promised that the military was mindful of the threat kidnapping gangs posed across the country, assuring that the military was reviewing its tactics to checkmate their activities.
Buba said, “The armed forces will always be mindful of the threat of kidnapping gangs and terrorists across the country. Accordingly, we will continually review our internal processes in order to deal with these threats both now and in the long term. The military is determined to give the situation the seriousness it deserves to create a safer environment for citizens.”
