The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday listed the names of top terrorist commanders who were killed in the last three months by troops across all theatres of operations.
The DHQ also disclosed the troops recovered over N20bn from oil thieves and economic saboteurs in the creeks of the Niger Delta, killed no fewer than 2,351 terrorists, nabbed 2,308, and rescued 1,241 kidnapped hostages in the first quarter of 2024.
The military High Command said the attacks and offensive by troops during the period between January and March 2024, also resulted in recovery of 2,847 weapons and 58,492 ammunition.
Giving the breakdown of the recovery of the arms and ammunition during the quarterly briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, said those killed within the period, include and not limited to the following: “Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi.
“He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on 21 Feb 24. Others are Kachallah Damina (Neutralised on Mar 24, by troops.
“He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants including Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others.”
*Recover over N20bn, nab 2,308, eliminate 2,351 within period
Speaking on the recoveries made within the period, Buba said, “Troop also recovered 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.
“Others are 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 litres of DPK, and 52,730 litres of PMS among other items.”
He expressed delight that the developments had demonstrated the fact that the ongoing operations were effective and result-oriented.
He added that the military was raising the bar in the prosecution of the battles.
Bubs said that the victories were achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorists’ enclaves.
“For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves. Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorists,” Buba further disclosed.
He said the armed forces were fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country.
He added that the military was prepared, prepared, equipped, and focused on what to do with the terrorists and their cohorts.
“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them, and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. We aim to kill these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them. Accordingly, we have employed significant fire powers to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities,” he said.
He assured that the citizenry would continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.
