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Troops kill 2,351 terrorists, arrest 2,308 others, rescues 1,241 kidnapped hostages in 3 months
From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has released the names of terrorist commanders killed at various military operations conducted in the northern part of the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made this known, said that the terrorist commanders were killed in separate operations between January and March 2024.
Gen. Buba, at a media briefing in Abuja, listed names of the terrorist kingpins to include 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 March 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, Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu, among several others.
Gen Buba, while briefing newsmen on military operations conducted in the last quarter across the country, said 2,351 terrorists were killed with others 2,308 arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages were rescued during the period under review.
While noting that the armed forces are fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country, Buba, said the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorist and their cohorts.
He said, “We have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them”.
He said the tremendous successes recorded, were achieved through synchronized strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves. “For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves.
According to him, “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 neutralised, 2,308 persons arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued. Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, and 58,492 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.
Continuing, Gen Buba, said “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.
He said “The foregoing demonstrates that ongoing operations are effective and result-oriented.
Accordingly, the military is raising the bar in the prosecution of the war. Consequently, citizens will continue to witness the incremental effectiveness and efficiency of the armed forces.
