Nigerian Military Explains 7 Ongoing Operations Nationwide

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday said the Nigeria military was carrying out 7 operations across the country.

Director, Defence Information, Brig-Gen. John Agim, explained the purpose of the operations at a media briefing in Abuja.

He recalled that on October 8 2018, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin established an operation code-named Operation 777.

Agim explained that each operation has its own modus operandi and was geared towards enhancing a conducive and stable environment for socio-economic activities and the safety of Nigerians, as well as preventing bandits and outlaws from escaping to other peaceful areas.

He said: “Operation WHIRLE PUNCH: It is a an operation established to fight banditry and armed robbery along Abuja-Kaduna road and Birnin Gwari area in Kaduna State.

“Operation DELTA SAFE: It is established to curb oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering and militancy activities in the Niger Delta region.

“Operation AWATSE: Designed to confront the challenges of illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the area between the Atlas Cove and Mosimi Depot in Lagos and Ogun states. The operation has brought sanity within the affected states.

“Operation SAFE HAVEN: Primarily to maintain peace in Plateau state. The operation was later expanded to cover some part of Bauchi and Kaduna States.

“Operation SHARAN DAJI: The operation was established to fight against cattle rustling and banditry activities within the North West which include; Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states.

“CLEARANCE Operations: Created to checkmate the activities of kidnappers, armed robbery and other form of criminalities within the North Central, especially Kogi State.

“Operation WHIRLE STROKE: This Operation was established to curtail the escalating spate of herdsmen/farmers conflict as well as armed banditry in parts of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba States.’

Agim added that the resilience of troops deployed for combined operations and internal security operations in conjunction with other security agencies have continued to curtail the freedom of action of insurgency, militancy and criminal gangs.

“The spate of herdsmen/farmers crisis and armed banditry in some parts of the country has been greatly reduced.

“Likewise, cases of illegal bunkering and other forms of criminality in the Niger Delta are being tackled headlong. Hence, operation 777 is designed to consolidate on the achievements of the existing operations.”