Troops of the Nigerian Army have intensified operations nationwide, arresting suspected drug peddlers and oil thieves while disrupting terrorist and criminal activities across several theatres.

This is contained in an operational report made available on Saturday in Abuja.

The military said the operations were conducted across theatres between September 18 and 19.

In Nasarawa State, the report said the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, working with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, arrested 12 suspected drug peddlers at Mararaba Udege.

It said the troops recovered 76 wraps of suspected cannabis and 50 grammes of tramadol from the suspects, who were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

In Rivers State, the report said the troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested two suspected oil thieves and recovered illegally refined petroleum products.

According to the report, one suspect was arrested at Ndoni Junction with 19 bottles of illegally refined dual-purpose kerosene.

“Another suspect was intercepted along the Okwuzi-Mgbede-Ebocha axis while allegedly conveying 34 cellophane sacks of illegally refined automotive gas oil,” it said.

The military said the recovered products and vehicle were handled in line with extant regulations, while the suspect remained in military custody for further action.

In the North-East, it said the troops of 19 Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on farmers in the Gajiri-Giwa area of Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State.

It added that troops detected the terrorists’ advances on motorcycles towards Kauwa Primary School to attack farmers.

According to the report, the brigade’s mobile strike team engaged the terrorists along the Cross-Baga axis, forcing them to flee.

“One soldier and a farmer who sustained gunshot wounds were stabilised at the 19 Brigade Medical Centre.

“In another development, troops of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai, recovered weapons and other equipment after repelling an ISWAP attack on FOB Mairari in the Guzamala Local Government Area.

“The troops discovered four neutralised terrorists, including the group’s photographer, and recovered an AK-47 rifle, 25 rounds of PKT ammunition, an RPG bomb, two AK-47 magazines and a camcorder,” it added.

The army said troops also foiled another attempted terrorist infiltration of FOB Gajiram on September 18, as troops, air assets and quasi-security forces repelled the attackers.

It said the operations underscore the army’s sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist activities, combat illicit economic activities and strengthen security across the country.

(NAN)