Military now better equipped to combat terrorists — DHQ

The Military High Command, on Thursday, declared a total war against Insurgency activities in the country, saying that the armed forces “is fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country” and are now better equipped to tackle the criminal elements and their cohorts.

Addressing Defence Correspondents in Abuja on the ongoing operations against insurgency activities in the various theatres across the six geo-political zones of the country, in the first quarter of the year, Director Defence Media Operations DDMO Major General Edward Buba said; “the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorist and their cohorts. 

“The armed forces are fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country. Nevertheless, the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorist and their cohorts”. 

“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them, and striking them where they maybe hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them. 

“Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralise several terrorists and disrupt their activities.”

He pointed out that during the period under review, significant terrorist commanders were killed in action

Notable among them are: 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), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu amongst several others. 

He explained that the successful completions were carried out by the gallant Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria AFN and other security agencies in the country through synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves.

He pointed out; ” For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves”.

The DDMO further explained that the Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols, and offensive against the terrorists. 

According to him, “The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan _ Mar 2024 resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralise, 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued.

” Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, and 58,492 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.

“Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 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 amongst other item”.

General Buba stated that the foregoing demonstrated that ongoing operations of the Military were effective and result-oriented.

The DDMO who promised that the military was raising the bar in the prosecution of the war against the criminals assured that henceforth citizens would continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.

Speaking on the activities of the “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST), he said that the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following activities during the period under review; conducted offensive operations, fighting patrols, arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists fighters and collaborators as well as surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters in Damboa, Konduga, Bama, Gwoza and Nganzai LGAs of Borno State.

On the activities of the “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL), he added that the Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; troops conducted offensive operations, cordon and search and arrested suspected violent extremists/kidnappers in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State as well as Ukum LGA of Benue State.

He further explained that the troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the North West recorded the following during the period under review; conducted offensive operations, counter/anti-kidnapping/criminality operations responded to terrorist activities and arrested suspects terrorists in Tsafe, Zurmi, and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Kurfi, Mulumfashi, Kankara, Faskari and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina State. Additionally, Takai and Kiru LGAs of Kano State, Giwa and Kagarko LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Birnin Kebbi LGA of Kebbi State.

On the activities of the “OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)”

he said that the Troops recorded the following during the week under review; conducted offensive operations and counter/anti-kidnapping/criminality operation in Gassol, Zing, and Takum LGAs of Taraba State as well as Kwande and Akwanga LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa States. Additionally, Bwari Area Council of FCT Abuja.

He said that in addition, the troops of the JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH) maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft the Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Troops also conducted offensive operations in Southern Ijaw and Akpabuyo LGAs of Bayelsa and Cross River as well as Ughelli South and North LGAs of Delta State.

He further added that the Troops of Operation UDO KA under the “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)” recorded the following during the week under review; arrested suspected violent extremists/kidnappers, and gunrunners and raided IPOB/ESN camp in Onitsha North and Izi LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi States respectively. 

 The DDMO said that all arrested suspects and exhibits recovered by the Troops have been handled over to the appropriate agencies for further action.