The Defence Headquarters yesterday said troops of Operation Whirl Punch have nabbed one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train service. He was arrested at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.Director, Defence Media Operations Major General Musa Danmadami made this disclosure during the biweekly briefing, at Defence Headquarters, in Abuja.
He said the arrest, which was made on February 14, 2023, by troops of Operation Whirl Punch, followed credible intelligence on the presence of Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa province kingpins at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He explained the troops mobilised to the location and arrested three terrorists, noting that one of the terrorists arrested was identified as one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja Kaduna Train Services.
Following the operation, General Danmadami said the troops also recovered two motorcycles, two mobile phones, the sum of five thousand Dollar ($5,000) as well as some other currency and other sundry items. General Danmadami, equally disclosed that troops of the Joint Task Force, Operations Hadin Kai in the North East, Safe Haven in the North Central and Hadarin Daji in the North West, killed no fewer than 133 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists in different locations, within the period under review.
He added that troops arrested no fewer than 80 terrorists, their logistic suppliers, spies, informants, and collaborators in different locations within the same period.
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He further disclosed that a total of 252 Boko Haram Terrorist/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families comprising 24 male, 79 female and 150 children surrendered to troops at different locations within the northeast theatre of operations, noting that troops also rescued 41 kidnapped civilians.
On the air operations he said: “An air interdiction operation was carried out at the location. Feedback revealed that the airstrike dealt a massive blow on the terrorists as several of the terrorists were reported to have been neutralised including some of key commanders while others escaped with severe injuries. A similar operation was conducted at the Yuwe fishing pond area of Borno State, following the sighting of about 50 terrorists in the general area. The location was consequently bombarded with several of the terrorists neutralized in the strike.”
He, however, concluded that all recovered items, rescued civilians, and apprehended suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authority for further action while surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and members of their families are being profiled for further action.
