The Nigerian Defence Headquarters says six top terrorists Commanders have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza, North East Nigeria.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Bernard Onyeuko made this known during bi- weekly briefing in Abuja, saying the update is between 30th of June to 14th of July, 2022.
General Onyeuko said that “troops were able to achieve this though coordinated operations on Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province enclaves.”
According to him, since the surrendering of terrorists to troops, the high calibre of Commanders surrendered this time is unprecedented among them a WALI (Governor) and KAID (a 3star Commander). The surrendered are; Mallam Mala Hassan (WALI), Ali Madagali (MUNZUR), Musa Bashir (CHIEF ANUR), Buba Dahiru (MUNZUR), Jafar Hamma (KAID) and Abbali NAKIB Polisawa.
Also, about 3,858 Boko Haram Terrorists and their families surrendered between 1st to 14th July, 2022, comprising 505 male, 1,042 Female and 2,311 children.
Furthermore, in the theatre, troops neutralised several Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province terrorists in the period under review at different encounters at Gamage village in Dikwa Local Government Area, Dikwa – Gambora Ngala road, Pulka – Gwaleroad in Borno State among others.
He said that “several terrorists logistics suppliers/collaborators were arrested with various items at various logistics towns within the theatre.”
In a related development, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction operations at Tumbum Jaki and Tumbum Murhu near Lake Chad in Borno State on the receipt of intelligent reports on the activities of the insurgents in the general area.
He said that “the successful airstrike neutralised several Boko Haram Terrorists and destroyed their hideout.”
Accordingly, information received from locals indicate that over 21 terrorists were neutralised in the airstrike.
Consequently, troops neutralised 42 terrorists, arrested 10 suspected terrorists, captured 17 AK47 rifles, 1 QTC rifle, 1 RPG Bomb, 1 RPG tube, 5 hand grenades, 120 rounds of 5.5mm, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 151 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 12.7 108mm, 2 ammo links, 5 dane guns, 8 rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition, 1 smoke grenade, 2 locally made explosives, 23 empty AK47 magazines, and 5 FN magazines.
According to him, all surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families were profiled and documented while all recovered items and apprehended suspected terrorists were handed over to the appropriate authority for further action.
The Director noted that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI carried out several operations in its theatre, at Sambo village in Dandume Local Government Area Katsina State, North West Zone.
General Onyeuko said that “troops neutralized 2 terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition.”
The troops also intercepted bandits collaborators at Dogo Kade and Samawa village in Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State where they recovered 2 motorcycles and jerry cans filled with Premium Motor Spirit and several stolen cows were recovered at Gidan Isa in Maradum Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
In another development, troops rescued one Mallam Sani Umar Wara at Maberiya Village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
It was revealed that he was serving at Zuru Correctional Centre but was kidnapped at Kofar Gabas town in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
General Onyeuko said that “the rescued person was handed to Headquarters Correctional Centre Gusau for further action.”
According to him, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE conducted a raid operation in Hausa Quarters in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, North Central Zone and discovered a weapon fabricating factory.
He noted that the criminals fled before the arrival of troops, however, troops recovered 2 locally made cartridge launchers, 1 FN rifle, 1 locally made gun and other items used in manufacturing weapons.
In another operation, troops arrested a criminal vandalizing electric wires at NIPSS Kuru in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State. Also, 2 suspected cattle rustlers were arrested at Kara Market, Bukuru in Jos Local Government Area of Plateau State, suspects are in custody for further action.
Relatedly, troops raided some criminal enclaves in Kukyor Village in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Consequently, 7 suspects were arrested, 5 dane guns, 5 machetes, 5 cartridges. 7 cell phones among other items were recovered.
General Onyeuko noted that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in conjunction with plateau State Police Command arrested 2 notorious kidnappers, Abdulrazaq Umar and Idris Abdulahi at Beco Junction, Heipang District in Barkin Ladi of Plateau State.
According to him, “the suspects confessed to have carried out series of kidnapping activities within Plateau and Bauchi States, including the murder of Alhaji Saleh Abdulhamid (Shabi) at Ex land Village, the suspect’s further revealed one Mallam Buhari Umar as the leader of the gang.”
However, while enroute the criminal hideout, the suspect attempted to escape and was neutralized.
Similarly, troops conducted raids at Mailafia, Nisaina, Dogon Filli and Gidan Waya all in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State and arrested 2 armed robbers; Mr George Yakubu and George Joseph aged 26 and 25 years respectively.
Items recovered from the suspects includes 3 fabricated AK 47 rifles, 1 knife, 1 cutting hoe, I cutlers, 1 spanner amongst others. Also, on the same day, troops responded to a distress call that gunmen attacked a Toyota Hummer Bus with registration number LFA 322 YR Nasarawa at Dogan Filli Village in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and rescued 9 passenger’s who were held hostage.
“All arrested criminals, rescued civilians and recovered items were handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action”, he said.
Casablanca noted that in compliance with its mandate of safety of lives and property in the Nigerian Maritime environment, South South Zone, the Nigerian Navy Ship OKPABANA of Operation Delta Safe responded to a distress message and in a swift reaction located and rescued a 16 meters surfer passenger boat MV NUE SWIFT belonging to a Lagos based oil service company.
He said that “the boat had lost her propelling ability at Agbara Platform while transiting from Forcados to Bonny Mooring and drifted for 32 hours before being rescued by troops”.
Accordingly, the crew and the boat were handed over to the Forward Operations Base Bonny.
In the same vein, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE on operation OCTOPUS GRIP conducted operational activities in creeks, towns and communities in the Niger Delta region of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers State.
According to him, in the course of conducting anti illegal oil refining operations, troops discovered and destroyed 109 illegal refining sites, 34 wooden boats, 150 storage tanks, 119 ovens, 104 dugout pits.
Cumulatively, within the period under review troops recovered 27 pumping machines, 1 weapon, 1 speed boat, 13 vehicles, 7 outboard engine, 4,339,000 litres of crude oil, 2,051,000 litres of AGO and 30,000 litres of DPK. Troops also arrested 24 economic saboteurs. All recovered items and apprehended oil thieves were handed over to the appropriate authorities.
The Director noted that troops in the South West zone of the Country have continued to fight crime and clamped down on smugglers in the border area of the zone on joint border patrol recovered 61 (25) litres of jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and intercepted 2 vehicles loaded with 163 (50) kilograms of foreign rice along Ifo-Abeokuta in Ifo Local Government Area and Ijimu – Tata in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He said that all recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service, Abeokuta.
The Military High Command has commended the efforts of the troops in the various theatres of operation across the country as they appreciated the support given to the Armed Forces and security agencies in the conduct of their operations.
Meanwhile, the briefing had the Director of Defence Information, Major General Jemmy Akpor, and all the Spokesmen of the Armed Forces, and their representatives.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
