By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has disclosed that through joint intelligence intelligence-led operations and community cooperation acting on tip-offs, they arrested armed couriers with M-16s, AK-47s, PKT guns, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition from
five states, namely Niger , Kaduna, Ebonyi, Plateau
and Oyo.
The NOA DG disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the monthly Joint Security Meeting Press Briefing.
Giving an executive summary on the degradation of the capabilities of criminals and terrorist groups in the country, Issa-Onilu said that the courier suspects had concealed the weapons in maize bags, under car seats, and even disguised some as household goods.
Furthermore, during the intelligence- led operations on the disruption of arms and criminal activities across states, female couriers and cross-border operatives were arrested with support from local
informants and drone surveillance.
Giving an executive summary of security activities with the degradation capabilities of criminals and terrorist groups, Issa-Onilu stated that in the month of September, Nigerian Army had conducted 196 operations across various geopolitical zones targeting terrorists,
insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and violent extremists in which
ISWAP/JAS fighters,were neutralized.
“Rescued 76 kidnapped victims in Katsina and received the surrender of 30 terrorists, including women and children, in Borno.”
“Raided weapon factories and gunrunners, disrupting local arms production and
trafficking networks.”
“Arrested insurgent leaders and collaborators in Niger, Sokoto, and Anambra States”, the NOA boss stated.
Also, the Nigerian Army successfully degraded activities of terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers and violent extremists and recovered rifles, explosives and military equipment during their operations within the period.
