Military releases names of terrorist commanders shot dead in North

The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday, released the full identities of some top terrorists commanders who were killed in the Northern region of the country during various operations across all the theatres between January and March 2024.

Among those killed by the troops attached to different operations included the Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP), Abu Bilal Minuki, popularly known as Abubakar Mainok among his criminal gang members as well as Haruna Isiya Boderi.

Mainok, a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway, 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.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba revealed the names to journalists during a briefing in Abuja. He added that a total of 2,351 terrorists were killed while 2,308 were arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages were rescued during the period under review.

Buba said: “The armed forces is fighting a vicious enemy in the ongoing operations across the country. Nevertheless, the military is ready, prepared, equipped and focused on what to do with these terrorist and their cohorts. 

“Surely, we have been collecting intelligence, hunting them and striking them where they maybe hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them."

 

The senior military officer explained that the fit was achieved through synchronised airstrikes which both the ground and air troops carried out on terrorists’ enclaves. 

He added, “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 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 N20bn (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. 

“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.”