Troops of OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH have arrested the mastermind behind the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna Train attack, the Defence Headquaters has said.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, made this known Thursday, during the bi-weekly update on nationwide military operations.
According to him, the arrest of the mastermind on Tuesaday,14 February, 2023, alongside two other terrorists at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was in response to information about the presence of Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) kingpins.
He said, troops mobilized to the location and recovered 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, the sum of five thousand US dollars ($5,000) as well as some other currency and other sundry items.
Similarly, on 16 February 2023, troops on fighting patrol made contact with terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In the fire fight that followed, 7 of the terrorists were neutralized, whole the others fled.
Troops exploited the general area and recovered 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special, 7 magazines, 5 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones among other items.
Furthermore, on 20 February, troops on fighting patrol to Gada Oli Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 4 magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and 7 BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.
Consequently, within the weeks in review, troops in the North West Zone recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 238 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 1 locally fabricated pistol, 7 magazines, 19 motorcycles, mobile phones, 30 rustled cattle and other sundry items.
Troops also neutralized 23 terrorists and arrested 9 as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians. All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authority for further action while arrested terrorists were documented for further action.
General Danmadami, on the series of air interdiction operations conducted by the air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI, said such operation was carried out at a location within Safana Local Government Area of Kastina State, where intelligence reports indicated that terrorists were gathering for a wedding ceremony on 13 February.
Another air interdiction operation was conducted at identified terrorists locations within Kanakara and Batsari Local Government Area all in Katsina State, with feedback revealing that several terrorists were neutralized in both air strikes.
In the same vein, the air component of the Operation WHIRL PUNCH on 14 February 2023, conducted air interdiction operation at identified terrorists location at Riyawa in Kaduna State. The location was observed to be active with terrorists activities. Accordingly, the identified targets was engaged and destroyed with several terrorists neutralized.
