The Nigerian Navy said sustained follow-up operations around Dayspring Island and other creek hideouts have denied militants a safe haven in Cross River State.
Navy spokesperson, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said this in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the continued offensives have “significantly degraded” the militants’ operational capability, restricted their movement, and denied them safe havens from which to harm national infrastructure and civilians in the area.
There were reports of onslaught on Sunday by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory and Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka led to the destruction of a key militant hideout, the establishment of a forward security outpost at Idung 1 (Peacock Crossing), and the arrest of a suspected collaborator.
Since achieving this feat, the troops have maintained continuous pressure across the identified militant enclaves on Dayspring Island.
Providing an update on the follow-up operation conducted on Monday, the Navy’s spokesperson said troops uncovered 10 outboard boat engines concealed in adjoining bushes and inside a nearby structure. He added that the structure was close to the previously destroyed residence linked to a suspected notorious militant known as “Juju.”
He said, “In a related operation based on fresh intelligence, troops advanced into a creek near Akpamfi, where additional militant logistics had been concealed.
“On sighting advancing naval personnel, the militants fled, abandoning two fibre boats and one 200-horsepower outboard engine. The equipment was confiscated and towed to the naval security outpost.”
The Navy’s spokesperson said that the sustained operations were part of a deliberate effort to dismantle the logistics backbone of militant groups. He added that fibre boats and high-powered outboard engines remain critical enablers of their criminal activities across the waterways.
He said the Nigerian Navy remains “resolute in sustaining this pressure and will continue follow-up operations until all criminal elements are completely flushed out and the waterways are secured for legitimate activities.”
