Troops of OPERATION HADARIN DAJI, in their sustained onslaught against terrorism, have eliminated 10 notorious terrorist warlords in the North-West.
Director of Defence Media Operations,
Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this on Thursday while giving an update on the ongoing efforts of various theatres of operation across the country, in the month of February.
In addition to the elimination of the warlords, no less than 1,157 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and their families surrendered to troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI in the NorthEast, also within the period under focus.
Buba, listing the warlords, identified them as: Yellow Dogon Rakumi, a top loyalist of Ɗansa’adi. He was neutralized by troops on 3rd February 2024 during an offensive in Ƙungurki area of Ƙaura Namoda LGA; Sulen Nagala, Laushi, and Bangis, all top a terrorist group under the leadership of a kingpin named NAGALA. They were neutralized by troops in conjunction with Zamfara State Community Protection Guard
on 11 February, during an encounter at Gandaya area of Bingi District of Maru LGA.
Others are: Malam, one of the top loyalists of Sani Mainasara aka Black, was eliminated on 18 February by Zamfara State Community Protection Guard along Koluwai Road in Zurmi LGA;
Ashiru and Kachambi, both loyalists of Jimmo Smally were neutralized on February 24 by troops in conjunction with vigilantes around Faru, Maradun LGA; Alhaji Baldu, Baban Yara, and Alhaji Kabiru, all associates/loyalists of Sale Bakaya, were killed on 24 February during a rival gang clash in Hayin Alhaji area of Tsafe LGA.
On the activities of other Theatres of operation, troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN in the North-Central neutralized 31 terrorists and arrested 187 others. They rescued 19 kidnapped hostages, recovered 157 weapons, l2,214 ammunition, and 80 pieces of equipment.
Also in the North-Central, troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE neutralized 100 terrorists, arrested 67 others, rescued 53 kidnapped hostages. A total of 3,878 weapons, ammunition, and equipment were recovered.
In the North-West, the activities of troops of OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH led to the elimination of 150 terrorists while 161 others were arrested. A total of 44 kidnapped hostages were rescued while 3,245 ammunition, made up of 95 AK47 rifles, 52 assorted arms, 2,023 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 638 assorted ammunition, were recovered.
Troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE in the South-South kept up the winning pace against economic saboteurs. They neutralized 10 terrorists, arrested 359 others, and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Furthermore, they destroyed 316 boats, recovered 1173 weapons and ammunition, dismantled 246 illegal refining sites, and arrested 58 vehicles.
In the South East where troops of OPERATION UDO KA conducted clearance raids, 106 terrorists were neutralized, 69 others arrested, 19 kidnapped hostages were rescued while 3,422 ammunitions were recovered.
Similarly, significant air interdiction missions were carried out by the Air Components of various theatres of operation in the month under review.
On 19 February 2024, airstrikes by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai resulted in the elimination of scores of ISWAP fighters including 3 Commanders in Marte Local Government Area, in Borno State.
The terrorists were trailed around a remote village at Arinna Woje.
A day after the strikes, the bodies of the 3 Commanders including Abacha, Bakura, an indigene of Jibularam, Babangida as well as 22 other jihadists were later recovered.
On 21 February 2024, air interdiction missions by OPERATION HADARIN DAJI were conducted against terrorists at Rugar Gamji in an abandoned primary school near Gidan Gwanki in Katsina State. The strikes successfully destroyed and neutralized about thirty (30) terrorists and their motorcycles that were hidden in the abandoned structures. On the same day, 7 motorcycle-riding terrorists were also neutralized at Gidan Guga in Katsina State
On 24 February 2024, air interdiction was conducted at TSORA HILL in Safana LGA of Katsina State, also by the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji. Feedback received confirmed that over 20 terrorists were neutralized.
In the same vein, on 23 February 2024, a kidnap kingpin, David Okpala Okpolowu, widely recognized as “2 Baba,” and notorious for terrorizing Rivers State and neighboring areas, succumbed to injuries sustained in an airstrike conducted by the Air component of OPERATION DELTA SAFE in Ahoada Forest, Rivers State.
The airstrike, which was part of a joint operation with the Nigerian Police in Port Harcourt, was initiated based on credible intelligence indicating the presence of “2 Baba” and his criminal gang hiding in the swampy forest.
The precise targeting of the strike resulted in the complete obliteration of the gathering. Reliable human intelligence confirmed that “2 Baba” was among the survivors who sustained severe injuries from the airstrike but succumbed to his injuries at another location.
It will be recalled that David Okpala Okpolowu AKA “2 Baba” has been evading authorities for several months following his alleged involvement in the ruthless murder of Bako Angbasim, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ahoada-East Local Government Area. The incident resulted in the killing and dismemberment of the police officer’s body.
