The Mighty High Command on Thursday revealed that the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and other security agencies fighting insurgency in the country have neutralised 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspects, and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages in the third quarter of the year.
Speaking with Defence Correspondents in Abuja at the biweekly briefing on ongoing military operations, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted the successes achieved between July and September this year across various theatres of operations.
He stated that 65 senior terrorist leaders were eliminated during the period under review.
According to him, “The armed forces prioritised the elimination of terrorist leadership and the destruction of terrorist networks in ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.”
“Accordingly, troops are effectively targeting terrorist leaders, commanders, combatants, as well as their rank-and-file operatives.”
“Throughout the third quarter of the year, synchronised bombardments by the air force and ground forces significantly weakened the terrorists’ military capabilities and cohesion.”
“Troops’ offensive actions culminated in the neutralisation of over 65 notable terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants across all theatres of operations. Significant terrorist leaders were eliminated from the battlefield.”
“These include: Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko, Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir, Kachalla Ɗan Baleri, Kachallah Halilu Jimmare (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya, and Ofem Emmanuel Igwe, among others.”
“Overall, in the third quarter of this year, troops neutralised 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 1,304 weapons, 43,347 rounds of ammunition, and prevented oil theft amounting to over N13 billion (N13,081,605,534.00).”
“Breakdown for the period includes 688 AK47 rifles, 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9,677 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 191 assorted arms, and 8,292 assorted ammunition.”
“Other recovered items include 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK, and 31,450 litres of PMS, among other items. As a result, the nation’s daily crude oil production output is at an all-time high, with the national target in sight.”
“On the whole, troops are maintaining pressure on the terrorists until they are completely defeated. The military remains focused on dismantling the terror infrastructure and destroying their will to fight.”
According to General Buba, during the third quarter of the year, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 792 terrorists, arrested 606 suspects, and rescued 476 kidnapped hostages.
Additionally, troops recorded a total of 7,283 surrendered Boko Haram/ISWAP combatants and their families.
Troops diminished the terrorists’ military capabilities by recovering 339 AK47 rifles, 58 fabricated rifles, 9,653 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and 3,147 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, among other items.
He added that the air component of Operation Hadin Kai conducted several air interdictions on terrorist enclaves during the third quarter of the year.
According to him, “These include Mandara Mountain, Maradun, and Southern Tumbun Fulani, among others. The air interdictions killed several terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants, as well as destroyed their logistics dumps.”
“Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralised 122 violent extremists, arrested 513 suspects, and rescued 305 kidnapped hostages.”
“Troops also recovered 48 AK47 rifles, 41 fabricated guns, 52 assorted arms, and 9,457 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.”
He further explained that in the Theatre of Operation Hadin Kai, gallant troops neutralised terrorists, including Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko, Jacob Uzege, Abdulkadir Yaya, Kingsley Mathew Tersee, Ali Ibrahim, Yusuf Musa, Usman Umar, and Isiah Ioraa, among others.
“Additionally, troops arrested gunrunners and kingpins such as Paul Hammeza, Salisu Nasiru, Lomina Bisala, Manuka Sunday, and Bulus Ibrahim, among others.”
He added that during the period under review, troops of Operation WHIRL STONE neutralised 109 terrorists, arrested 203 suspects, and rescued 210 kidnapped hostages. Terrorists neutralised included Ibn Kasir, Kachalla Dan Baleri, Kachalla Dogo Kwaddi, Lawalli Dodo, Kachalla Naguru, Kachalla Hana-Zuwa, Kachalla Adamu, Kachalla Halilu Jimmare (Buzu), and Sani Black, among others.
He further explained that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 93 terrorists, arrested 240 suspects, and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 47 pump-action guns, and 384 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.
According to him, “In the course of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 180 combatants, arrested 354 IPOB/ESN criminals, and rescued 148 kidnapped hostages.”
“Additionally, troops recovered 28 AK47 rifles, 44 pump-action guns, 58 assorted arms, and 3,456 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.”
“Troops arrested high-profile members of IPOB/ESN, such as Mr. Onwuha Onyebuchi at Agwu LGA of Enugu State. He and several others are assisting ongoing investigations.”
“Troops also neutralised and arrested notorious extremists, gunrunners, as well as kidnappers.”
“These include Ofem Emmanuel, Ejim Anthony Wisdom, Ogonna Igwe, Joseph Ugochukwu Alli, Chika Opko, Sunday Okpo, and Nnena Nkole.”
“Troops also conducted a raid on the house of a notorious gunrunner and weapon fabricator identified as Chief Solomon, also known as Ogbuefi, at Ebum Eburutu in Abi LGA, Cross River State.”
While acknowledging that all security challenges in the country could soon be a thing of the past, given the level of achievements recorded in the last quarter in addressing the menace, General Buba solicited more cooperation from the public in combating terrorist activities.
He declared that the terrorists were already on the verge of total surrender due to the intense pressure from the troops.
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