Nigerian army kills more than 165 gunmen in the past week: official – Halbeeg News

ABUJA, (Xinhua) — At least 165 suspected gunmen have been killed in various military operations in Nigeria over the past week, an official said Thursday.

Edward Buba, the military’s chief spokesman, told reporters at a biweekly news conference in the capital Abuja that 238 others were arrested during the period. The troops located the hideouts of criminal groups, destroyed their logistics bases and recorded successful operations among the theater commands in the West African country.

“Our role in the ongoing war is clear and we are winning the war. The military is unaware of some security challenges faced by civilians in certain circles and is reviewing operations in those areas to better secure and protect civilians,” Buba said. “The troops recognize the urgency to ensure peace and security for all citizens in the country.”

During the period, 188 civilians held hostage by criminal gangs were rescued by troops, the official said, noting that 153 different weapons and more than 2,000 different ammunition were also recovered.

The Nigerian Armed Forces are “working on new strategies to better protect the nation and citizens,” Buba told reporters.

Earlier this month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared that the country’s security situation was “unfinished business” which he said government forces wanted to end as quickly as possible.

The security situation has so far severely affected food production as local farmers find it difficult to assess their farms due to the nefarious activities of bandits or armed men, who often kidnap civilians for ransom.

With the ongoing security operations, Nigerians will soon experience a jump in food production and a downward spiral in food costs, Tinubu said during a national broadcast on October 1.