The Defence Headquarters has said that the fight against terrorism across the country is yielding positive results as about 2,351 terrorists including over 10 commanders were killed by troops of the armed forces in the first quarter of 2024.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba disclosed this on Thursday during a press conference with newsmen in the New Conference Room of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
According to him, troops have been collecting intelligence, hunting down terrorists and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating across the country.
General Buba said troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensives against the terrorists through asynchronous strikes between ground and air forces on the terrorist enclaves.
He said, “Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them.
“Accordingly, we have employed significant firepower to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities. Indeed, significant terrorist commanders killed include and are not limited to the following: Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops on 21 Feb 24.
“Others are: Kachallah Damina (Neutralised on Mar 24, by troops. He was neutralised alongside over 50 combatants), Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others.
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“The above was achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves. For instance, immediately upon the acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.
“Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorist. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan – Mar 2024 resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralize, 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued. Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.
“Breakdown for the period includes and is not limited to the following: 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.
“Others are 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 litres of DPK and 52,730 litres of PMS amongst other item.”
General Buba assured the public of the readiness of the armed forces to track down and bring to book all criminal gangs terrorising the country, noting that “the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorists and their cohorts. Consequently, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.”
