The Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has released the names of terrorist commanders killed at various military operations conducted in the northern part of the country.
Director, Defense Media Operations (DMO), Major General Edward Buba, who made the disclosure, said 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 February 21, 2024.
Others are Kachallah Damina, who was neutralized on March 24 by troops. He was neutralized alongside over 50 combatants, including Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Ubangida and 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 2,308 arrested while 1,241 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 the terrorists 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 these terrorists and the infrastructure that supports them.
“For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets were 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 (January to March 2024) resulted in 2,351 terrorists neutralized, 2,308 people arrested and 1,241 hostages rescued.
Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunition and denied the oil thieves an estimated sum over N20 billion (N20,331,713,910.00) only.
Continuing, Gen. Buba, said: “Breakdown for the period include, but 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 liters of stolen crude oil, 2,723,430 liters of illegally refined AGO, 53,300 liters of DPK and 52,730 liters of PMS, amongst other items. 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.”