The coordinator of the Defence Media Operations Major General John Enenche, said the military in Sokoto state, intercepted some foreigners with arms and special ammunition concealed in their vehicle.
He said the foreigners who are part of a notorious arms smuggling syndicate were nabbed during operations at Dantudu in SabonBirni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
General Enenche disclosed this at the updates briefing on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja.
He also said that the Operation SAHEL SANITY troop deployed at Forward Operating Base, SabonBirni Local Government Area on August 15, smashed a notorious illegal arms smuggling syndicate during an undercover operation.
He said that the group specialises in massive arms supply to bandits in the North West from across the international borders.
He said it was regrettable that some of the security challenges in the country had external influence.
“The three suspects, all Nigeriens were intercepted at Dantudu in Mailailai District of SabonBirni LGA with six AK47 Rifles and magazines and 2,415 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition concealed in various parts of their vehicle.
“It, therefore, goes to show that some of the security challenges in the country have external influence,” Enenche said.
He noted that the suspects were currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation before being handed over to the prosecuting agency.
He further said that in continuation of intensive clearance operations in the North-West zone, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI had continued to record successes against the bandits.
“Within the period under review, in a combined special clearance operation, troops of operation SAHEL SANITY destroyed 12 bandit camps at YobeBaranda in Batsari LGA, Katsina State.
“Three armed bandits were also neutralised in the process while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds,” he said.
For North East Zone, Enenche said that several air interdiction operations were conducted that identified Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists’ targets in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest areas of Borno.
He said the attacks were conducted at Tumbuma Baba, on August 16, in one of the Island settlements on the fringes of the Lake Chad, adding that the logistics facilities of BHT at BukarMeram on the fringes of the Lake Chad were also destroyed on August 17.
He said the attack on the locations scored devastating hits on the settlement, killing no fewer than 20 terrorists and destroying their structures.
“Several BHT and ISWAP commanders were killed and some of their dwellings destroyed at Boboshe, a village along the river line on the eastern part of the Sambisa Forest.
“Meanwhile, troops of Army Super Camp 9, on August 16, engaged BHTs and ISWAP elements during clearance operations at Dikwa LGA of Borno.
“During the operation, two terrorists were neutralised while one AK 47 rifle and eight rounds of 7.62mm (special) were recovered.
“Similarly, troops of Strong Response Area, Pulka while on a fighting patrol, encountered and engaged BHTs/ISWAP elements along Road Pulka-Firgi-Banki Junction in Gwoza LGA of Borno.
In the process, a terrorist was neutralised while two loaded AK 47 rifles, two 36 hand grenades, one motorcycle and IED materials were recovered by the troops,” the defence spokesperson said.
