Insecurity: Military uncovers ISWAP’s social media recruitment channels

The military has uncovered an intensified recruitment drive by terrorist groups, particularly ISWAP, using social media channels.

In response, military forces have pledged to maintain their offensive operations to eliminate these threats, according to Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Saturday.

Buba highlighted that recent air and ground operations have significantly weakened terrorist groups. On November 6, targeted airstrikes by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI struck ISWAP strongholds on KWALLARAM and ARAINNA CIKI islands in Borno State. These strikes reportedly neutralized over 70 insurgents at KWALLARAM, with additional casualties at ARAINNA CIKI.

In ongoing nationwide operations, troops have neutralized 169 terrorists, arrested 641 suspects, and intensified efforts against insurgents. The military has also detained 40 individuals for oil theft and rescued 181 hostages. In the southern region, troops thwarted oil theft valued at approximately N1.4 billion.

“Troops recovered 192 assorted weapons and 2,970 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 106 AK47 rifles, 38 fabricated rifles, 26 dane guns, one FN rifle, 3 fabricated revolver pistol, 11 locally made pistols, 5 pump action guns, ome dummy AK47 rifle and one unexploded RPG bomb”, the spokesman added.

“Others are 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,074 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 67 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 130 rounds of 108mm, 101 rounds of 9mm ammo, 146 live cartridges, 2 baofeng radios, 7 vehicles, 29 motorcycles, 40 mobile phones and the sum of N729,000.00 only amongst other items.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 20 crude oil cooking ovens, 2 dugout pits, 42 boats, 7 reservoirs, 5 drums, 50 storage tanks and 83 illegal refining sites. “Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, 3 outboard engines, one generator set, one speedboat, 8 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 914,445 litres of stolen crude oil, 537,325 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,285 litres of PMS.”