From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops fighting the counter-terrorism war killed 715 terrorists and rescued 465 kidnapped victims in April.
Soldiers also arrested 1,146 suspects during ambushes, raids, fighting patrols, and other covert operations. They recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions, and prevented crude oil theft worth over N2.5 billion.
Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, revealed this at a media briefing on the update of military operations conducted across the country. He noted that troops are simultaneously fighting in various theatres across the country to deal with the various security threats ravaging the country. He assured that the soldiers would not stop until they find and destroy the terrorists and their cohorts wherever they may be hiding to ensure their enduring defeat.
“The defeat of these terrorist groups is non-negotiable as it would deny them the opportunity to terrorize or hurt citizens of this country,” he said.
Regarding operations conducted in April, Buba said, “Troops conducted offensive operations during the month ranging from ambushes, raids, fighting patrols, and other covert operations. Tactically, whenever there is a clash between troops and terrorists on the ground, troops clear the win in the firefight, though sadly in certain operations, casualties are sustained. However, each and every engagement ends with troops’ victory, with several dead or surrendered terrorists in every location.”
“Similarly, air assets conducted aggressive air flights during the period under review. Upon confirmation of terrorist presence and the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, the targets are acquired, and fighter jets scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.”
He highlighted the engagement of terrorist leaders’ enclaves, including that of terrorist Nasanda and his loyalists in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State. On April 13, 2024, three senior terrorist commanders (Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah, and Mallam Ari) were neutralized at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad.
Additionally, on April 15, 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State was destroyed. Similarly, on April 19, 2024, the terrorist hideout belonging to senior terrorist commander Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated. Then, on April 20, 2024, the gathering of senior terrorist commanders Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was disrupted by air strikes. Several terrorist combatants and the Commanders were neutralized in the air strikes.
Other terrorist commanders engaged by air strikes include Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State, the enclave of Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State, the enclave of Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State, and Bello Turji’s Camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto.
“The synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces during the period under review resulted in over 715 terrorists neutralized. During the process, troops arrested 1,146 persons and rescued 465 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions, and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #2 bn (N2,572,397,190.00) only.”
“Breakdown for the month of February includes and is not limited to the following: 495 AK47 rifles, 190 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump-action guns, 151 dane guns, 11,549 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,722 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 511 rounds of 9mm and 941 live cartridges.”
“Others are 2,563,335 litres of stolen crude oil, 254,620 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK, and 8,000 litres of PMS amongst other items.”
“Overall, the armed forces are building and maintaining the momentum against the terrorists and their cohorts across the country. Troops are conscious and are not losing sight of the importance of momentum when it comes to fighting such vicious adversaries.”
“The current situation depicts a strain of tactical achievements in degrading the terrorists by dismantling most of the terrorist infrastructure in the NE, killing a majority of the combatants, and killing a lot of their senior combatants. It must be noted that many of the terrorist commanders as well have been taken off the battlefield.”
“Ongoing operations have suppressed the terrorists and prevented them from achieving their strategic objectives. Troops have equally denied the terrorists freedom of action and disrupted their activities, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to rid the environment of terrorists, and the military is not resting on its oars.”