By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Synchronised strikes between ground and air forces of the military have resulted in the elimination of 715 and the arrest of 146 terrorists in the month of April.
Disclosing this on Thursday at a press briefing in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said that 465 kidnapped victims were also rescued within the period under review.
The elimination and arrest of the terrorists follows troops’ offensive operations during the month, which include ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and other covert operations, conducted by troops in various theatres, among which are Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeast, Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke in the North Central, Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch in the Northwest, Operation Delta Safe in the South South, and Operation Udo Ka in the Southeast.
During the period, Buba disclosed, troops engaged several terrorist leaders’ enclaves including that of terrorist Nasanda and his loyalists in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State, while 3 Senior terrorist commanders (Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari) were neutralized at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad.
Additionally, on 15 April 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State was destroyed, while on 19 April, the terrorist hideout belonging to a senior terrorist commander, Kamilu Buzaru’s, in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated.
Then, On 20 April, the gathering of senior terrorist commander Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru’s 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’ enclaves engaged by air strikes include that of Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State and that of Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State.
Also engaged is the camp of Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State, Furthermore is Bello Turji’s camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto. According to Buba, “all the surviving terrorist commanders and leaders are walking corpses as we would get them, sooner than later”.
In the South South, where troops maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft, 9 violent extremists were arrested, while 164 perpetrators of crude oil theft were arrested.
Consequently 2,563,335 litres of crude oil, 254,620 litres of AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS, all amounting to
N2,572,397,190.00, was denied the oil thieves.
Furthermore, troops recovered 56 assorted weapons and destroyed 74 wooden boats, 1,501 assorted ammunitions and 76 illegal refining sites.
Troops of Operation UDO KA in the southeast neutralized arrested 8 violent extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 550 live cartridges and one vehicle amongst others. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
The DMO spokesman affirmed that 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”, he said.
