War Against Terrorism: We Are Fighting A Vicious War-DHQ

The Defence headquarters has revealed that the Nigeria military is fighting a vicious war in its quest to rid the country of terrorists and insurgents elements.

The disclosure was made in Abuja Thursday, by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, while briefing newsmen on ongoing military operations in the country’s troubled areas within the first quarter of the year.

Gen Buba, who pointed out that the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on ridding the country of irritant terrorists, bandits and insurgents, added that the outlaws are being hunted and stricken at wherever they are hiding and or hibernating.

He pointed out that over the last three months, the military has successfully taken out several terrorists and insurgent commanders and hundreds of their foot soldiers, thus diminishing their ability to unleash terror, unhinged. 

Those neutralized include Abu Bilal Minuki, aka, Abubakar Mainok and Haruna Isiya Boderi, who notoriously held sway along the Birni Gwari, Kaduna state axis, as well as the Kaduna/Abuja highway.

Others are Alhaji Baldu and the Kachallah 7-Kachallah Damina, who was taken out alongside 50 of his foot soldiers, Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Naamadidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo and Kachallah Ubangida. 

“Accordingly, we have employed significant fire power to neutralize several terrorists and disrupt their activities. Indeed, significant terrorist commanders killed include and is 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 in 21 Feb 2024.” 

Gen Buba explained that the feat recorded by the military over the period under review was as a result of the synergy between the army and Air Force. According to him;

“The above was 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.

“Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorists. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan-March 2024, resulted in 2, 351 terrorists neutralized, 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 of N20bn (N20,331,713,910.00) only.”

A further breakdown of the outcome of the military exercises against the terrorists over the period shows that through raids, ambushes, patrols and sundry other tactical approaches, troops equally recovered sundry high power military fire arms, ammunition, etc, including 1,497 Ak-47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammo.

Other recovered items include 21,573,310 litres of stolen crude oil; 2,723,430 litres of illegally refined AGO, 53,000 litres of DPK and 52,730 litres of PMS.

In particular, statistics provided by Gen Buba indicates that offensive operations conducted by the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, North East, along the Damboa, Konduga, Bama and Gwoza council areas, Borno state, between 27 March and 1 April, 2024, against Boko Haram/ISWAP gangs, resulted in the killing of 34 terrorists and rescue of 9 abducted victims.

The troops, he added, also recovered 27 AK-47 assault riffles, 3 PKT guns, 5 fabricated guns, 4 Dane guns, 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 magazines, 9motor cycles, 10 mobile phones, 2 HH radios, 12 bicycles and 4 magazine jackets. 

“While undertaking intelligence based patrol along the Nganzai council area on 31 March, 2024, troops made contact with Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters after which 19 of the terrorists met their Waterloo. The troops recovered 16 AK-47 rifles, 3 Dane guns, 316 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 4 mobile phones.”

Between 29 and 31 March, 2024, troops arrested 4 BH/ISWAP/JAS collaborators in separate intelligence base operations in Jere and Gwoza Council Areas. Among others, the troops arrested 2 more Boko Haram/ISWAP and JAS terrorists, Yagabalu Amodu Bimba and Modu Jibril, in Gwoza and Monguno Council Areas.

Items recovered during the operation include 3 AK-47 riffles, 3 AK-47 magazines, 119 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one bandolier, one camel back and 3 mobile phones Between 27 March and 2 April, 2024, 83 terrorists, comprising 16 adult males, 19 adult females and 48 children surrendered to troops

In the North Central, operations by the Joint Task Force, Safe Haven, was no less successful. This is exemplified in the outcome of operations conducted around the Gassol, Zing and Takum Council Areas of Taraba state, as well as Kwande Council Area of Benue state.

Similar operations carried out in Nasarawa state and the Bwari Area Council of the FCT, were no less successful. For instance, between 27 and 31 March, 2024, offensive operations conducted by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Gassol, Zing and Takum Council Areas in Taraba state and Kwande Council Area, Benue state, led to the arrest of 8 suspected violent extremists alongside the recovery of 4 motor cycles, one vehicle, 15 mobile phones and the sum of N50,360.00

In yet another development, separate counter insurgency/Anti-Kidnapping/Criminality operations in Tarkum Council Area of Taraba state, on 31 March, resulted in the arrest of 2 suspected terrorists and rescue of 21 abducted victims.

One motor cycle was also recovered. In separate operations in Akwanga Council Area, Nasarawa state and Bwari Area Council of the FCT, between 29 and 31 March, 2024, four suspected terrorists were arrested while six kidnapped victims were rescued.

Troops equally recovered three locally made rifles, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one ammo link and 2 mobile phones. 

“Overall, troops of WHIRL STROKE arrested 14 violent extremists and rescued 30 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 3 fabricated rifles, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one ammo link, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N50,360 among others.”

In the North West, Counter/Anti-Kidnapping/Criminality offensives conducted by determined troops of Operation Hadarin Daji were no less effective. For example, in separate operations against terrorists in Tsafe Council Area, Zamfara state, between 29 and 31 March 2024, which was accompanied by fierce fire fights, troops neutralized 11 terrorists and recovered 7 locally made guns.

They also recovered 4 Dane guns, 227 rounds of 7.62mm NATO , 10 cartridges, 3 motor cycles were also recovered.

Between 28 March and 2 April, 2024, troops of the unit also conducted separate operations against terrorists in Kurfi, Mulumfashi, Kankara and Fashkari Council Areas, Katsina state.

During the encounter, they neutralized 36 terrorists. in the aftermath of the fierce encounter, troops recovered 24 AK-47 rifles, 10 Dane guns, one PKT gun, 5 fabricated guns, 451 rounds of 7.62mm special, 231 rounds of 7.62 NATO, 98 rounds of 7.52 x 54mm ammo, 11 motor cycles, 6 mobile phones and 4 bicycles.

In Zumi and Takai Council Areas of Zamfara state, March 29, Troops neutralized 10 terrorists and nabbed 2. In Giwa and Kagarko Council Areas of Kaduna state and Anka Council Area of Benue state, between 28 March and 1 April, 2024 troops arrested 5 suspects, recovered 7 fabricated guns, 4 Dane Guns, 2 locally made revolver rifles, 132 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 96 cartridges, 6 motor cycles and 3 mobile phones.

In summary, in their operations in the North West, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji

“…neutralized 57 terrorists, arrested 7 terrorists and rescued 10 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 24 AK-47 rifles, one PKT gun, 19 fabricated guns, 18 locally made Dane guns, 2 fabricated revolver rifles, 451 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 590 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 98 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 106 live cartridges, 20 motor cycles and 9 mobile phones, among other items.”

In the North West, troops of Operation Whirl Punch equally had success stories to tell, particularly in their exercises they conducted in Giwa and Kajuru Council Areas of Kaduna state. In separate operations, they neutralized 15 terrorists, recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 4 fabricated guns, one Dane gun, 231 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 121 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 4 motor cycles, 3 mobile phones and one Baofeng radio.

In the South South and South East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested violent extremists, kidnappers and gun runners and also raided IPOB/ESN camps in both Onitsha North Council Area, Anambra state and Izzi, Ebonyi state.

In the main, the troops, in collaboration with the DSS and operatives of the Nigerian Police, conducted fighting patrols against in a number of extremists/IPON/ESN camps in Oguta, Oru, and Mbaitoli Council Areas of Imo state between 29 and 31 March, 2024.

Within the same period, they also conducted similar raids in Onicha and Ohaukwu Council Areas, Ebonyi state. In the aftermath, the troops arrested one suspect, recovered 2 AK-47 riffles, 3 pump action guns, 160 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 93 cartridges, 3 IEDs, One RPG bomb, 2 Motor cycles, 7 Boafeng radios, 4 mobile phones and among others, an assortment of military accoutrements. 

Going forward, Gen Buba assured that the military has not only the requisite intelligence to win the war against terrorists, bandits and insurgents, it is also ready and willing to deploy everything within the armory to hunt them down.

“We are ready, we are prepared, we are equipped and we remained focused on what to do with these terrorists. Indeed, we have the collective intelligence, we have been hunting them and striking them at their hiding places and the places where they are hibernating across the country. Our aim is to kill them these terrorists and infrastructure that supports them…,” he said.