By Linus Aleke
The military yesterday revealed that the coordinated air bombardment of multiple terrorist enclaves across three theatre of operations, within two weeks, led to the killing of scores of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), terrorist fighters, in Borno, Niger, Kaduna, and Katsina states.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami said this at the bi-weekly briefing on military operations in Abuja.

The Defence Media Operations Coordinator, said, “The air component of Operation Hadin Kai on 9 September 2022 while acting on credible intelligence conducted air interdiction operation at Somalia in Sambisa Forest and bombarded a terrorist critical facility.

“The air strike inflicted deadly casualty on the terrorists as feedback revealed that several of the terrorists were neutralized while several structures were destroyed after the strike.

“Similar operation was carried out on terrorist enclaves at Abdallari, Mafa, Zanari and Tumbun Baba between 10 and 14 September 2022, the airstrikes led to the neutralization of several terrorists with several of their structures destroyed in the strikes.”

He stated further that the air component of Operation Whirl Punch continued the onslaught against terrorists, as an air interdiction operation was carried out on September 8, 2022, at an identified terrorist’s hideout at Gaude in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Danmadami added, “In a related development, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji on 13 Sep 2022 conducted air interdiction operation at an identified terrorist hideout in Dutse Babare in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.”

He continued, “The air strike led to the neutralisation of a terrorist leader identified as Ibrahim Dangawo and other members of his gang. A similar, operation was carried out at Gidan Guga in Faskari Local Government Area also in Katsina State, at an identified terrorist enclave.

The airstrike led to the neutralisation of a terrorist kingpin known as Babaru who has been on the wanted list of security agents. Equally, another major feat was recorded with the neutralisation of a large number of terrorists at the Kawari axis in Dan Musa Local Government Area of Katsina State. It was revealed that the terrorist group has been responsible for the kidnapping and robbing of people in that general area.”

He noted that scores of terrorists were neutralized in the air attack.

We will remain in PDP, fight for inclusivity – Wike

*Military closing in on terrorist financier- DHQ

Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) revealed that the Nigerian military, in partnership with other security agencies, as well as the intelligence agencies are closing in on a suspected terrorist financier, identified as Alhaji Abubakar.

The military also said that troops killed 56 criminals, and arrested 88, across all theatres in two weeks.

The military reported that two young men, running an errand for the terrorist network were picked up by troops, at Access Bank, PZ Branch in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State while, struggling to withdraw a total sum of N14m deposited by Alhaji Abubakar.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen. Musa Danmadami made this disclosure yesterday in Abuja, while briefing Defence Correspondents, on the operational activities of the military across the federation.

He noted that two Boko Haram commanders were killed in the North-East, while twelve (12), Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), logistics suppliers were also, arrested by troops in the North-West theatre.

He added that two notorious gunrunners transporting dangerous weapons from Onitsha, in Anambra State, to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were intercepted in Okene, Kogi State.

Danmadami, further disclosed that a total of 368 terrorist fighters and their families surrendered to troops in the North-East, between 8 and 22, September 2022.

Troops also conducted operational activities in villages, communities, and towns in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna State in the North West zone of the Country.

He further disclosed that during the ongoing onslaught operation, troops neutralised 16 suspected terrorists and arrested 10 notorious terrorists at different locations in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“While, five AK47 rifles, 10 rounds of 7.62mm special, 17 mobile phones, 2 motorcycles, three

locally made rifles, three pairs of woodland camouflage, 118 rustled sheep, four boafeng radios, and N29,250 cash among other items were recovered, as 21 civilians were rescued”.

He stressed that all recovered items, arrested terrorists, and rescued civilians were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

He added, “The troops conducted fighting patrols, ambushes, and clearance operations at communities, villages, and towns in Kukawa, Monguno, Kaga, Dikwa, Biu, Damboa, Gwoza, Mafa, Konguda, Bama, and Guzamala Local Government Areas all in Borno State.

“Of significance was the neutralisation of two key Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province commander on the 12th and 15th September 2022 identified as Abu Asiya and Abu Ubaida (A Qaid) at Parisu and Sheruri general area in Sambisa forest respectively.

“Consequently, within the period in review, troops neutralized 36 terrorists, rescued 130 civilians, and arrested 46 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists as well as 12 suspected Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province logistic suppliers.

Furthermore, 21 AK47 rifles, 163 rounds of 7.62mm special, two RPG bombs, 25 dane guns, 4 unexplosive ordinance stores, two bandoliers, 10 solar panels, 23 bicycles, 10 motorcycles, one tricycle, 19 cell phones, 28 torch lights, bags of assorted grains, 122 rustled sheep, and the sum of N203,125.00 was recovered among other items.

Equally, a total of 368 suspected Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province criminals and their families comprised 53 adult males, 116 adult females, and 214 children surrendered to their troops at different locations in the theatre.

He concluded that troops in conjunction with vigilantes carried out a raid operation in the hideout of the outlawed cultist group known as Sara Suka boys, at Rikkos and Nassarawa in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State and arrested six suspects.

Military closing-in on terrorist financier, Abubakar – DHQ

*As troops recover over 7000 barrels of crude oil, others in two weeks

Also, troops of Operation Awatse, have rescued 13 teenage girls suspected to be victims of child trafficking around Akarakumo waterways in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The military also said the two traffickers who were transporting the teenage girls to an undisclosed destination were also arrested and handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

The DHQ equally revealed that no fewer than 7000 barrels of crude oil, and 2,613 barrels of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), amongst others, were recovered in the creeks of Niger Delta.

The troops in conjunction with the Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) raided a suspected drug baron’s residence at Solebo Estate, Ipakodo in Ikorodu Local Government Area of Lagos State and arrested four suspected drug dealers, including a foreign national, with 1,855kg of substance, suspected to be cocaine worth about $278m.

Danmadami said that troops also killed two terrorists in the South-East.

He also said that troops in collaboration with Nigerian Customs Service arrested smugglers with bags of foreign rice in the South-West.