Nigerian troops have killed 23 terrorists in the last three weeks, including a top Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commander, Abubakar Dan-Buduma in the fight against terrorism in the North Eastern part of the country.
The Defence authorities also disclosed that troops arrested a notorious informant and logistic supplier to the Islamic State of West Africa, Mallam Abba Sidi Lawan at Auno town in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Major General Bernard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), who disclosed this on Thursday, in Abuja, during a briefing on the operational activities of troops across the country said troops carried out series of operations on land, maritime and air across the various theatres of operation.
Giving breakdown of the troops operational activities, General Onyeuko, stated that, “On 11 April 2022 the land component of OPERATION HADIN KAI with support of the air components conducted offensive operation in Arina Woje in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State and neutralized a prominent Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commander Abubakar Dan-Buduma and scores of the terrorists.
“A notorious informant and logistic supplier to the Islamic State of West Africa Mallam Abba Sidi Lawan was arrested at Auno town in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State. Additionally, the operation led to the destruction of terrorists enclaves and their central workshop where vehicles are fabricated for vehicle borne Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
“Troops within the period also conducted operational activities in Mallam Maja in Angua Baba, Kajimari, Mireri Villages in Dikwa Local Government Area, Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area, Kwatara hill, Pulka-Kirawa, Ngimari, Gasa Zamani, Garat, Mbalula, Chabbo, Jabullam Kukawa Villages in Abadam and Baga Local Government Area, Sabon Gari in Damboa Local Government Area, Auno Town in Konduga Local Government Area, New Mante, Wurge and Da’ala village, Grusulu Dikwa-Marte, Amdaga, Balazola, Ndakaime, Jango Sabah and Gobara, Gwoza, Yamteke Gargash, Gumshe, Modu, Pala Pala, Kotokuma villages, Bogomari, Chachile, Bula Daloye, Diffa near Nigeria/Niger border, Beji-Beji and Yimirgza villages in Askira-Uba and Chibok Local Government Area, Damboa-Bulabulin-Komala, Marte, Wulgo Ngurosoye along Bama-Banki Junction, Kopre Dutse Uku and Zah general area all in Borno State. Other location include; Butum Biyu village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State”.
He explained that, Islamic State of West Africa Province fighters on 5GTs attempted to attack Nigerian Petroleum Product Company Depot in Diffa near Nigeria and Niger border the attack was repelled and unspecified number of terrorists were killed.
“Subsequently, the Joint Security Forces of Nigeria and Niger Republic successful destroyed the 5GTs. Similarly, troops arrested Abdurrazaq Hudu a logistics supplier of Islamic State of West Africa Province at Mutum Biyu village in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
“Own troops also recovered 49 AK 47 rifles, 728 rounds of 7.62mm, 4 MG’s, 1 G3 rfiles, 3 60mm mortar, 1 AA gun, 1 SMG, 6 Magazines, 1 hand grenade, 1 UXO anti tank RPG bomb, 11 dane guns, 1 gun tripod, 1 binocular, 5 bandoliers, 8 crowbas.
Other items recovered which includes; 7 motorcycles, 31 bicycles, 4 heavy duty generators, 3 Canoes, 3 tri-cycles, 4 motorcycles, 22 sewing machines, 1 video camera, 4 grinding machines, 8 mobile phones, 4 cars, 4 trucks, 1 Toyota buffalo vehicle, 8 drums of grains, medical syringes and 43,000:00 Naira cash.
“While a total number of 1,158 terrorists and their families surrendered to own troops within the period under review comprising 164 men, 367 women and 627 children.Also troops neutralized 23 terrorists, rescued 619 civilians and arrested 19 terrorists. All surrendered Boko Haram Terrorists, recovered items, rescued civilians and captured terrorists have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further actions”.
As part of the non kinetic operations measure to bring lasting peace to the troubled parts of Kaduna State under the OPERATION SAFE HAVEN theatre of operations.
The Chief of Defence Staff Gen Leo Irabor conducted an operational visit to Kaduna State during his visit the CDS met with critical stakeholders drawn from 5 local government areas of the troubled parts of Southern Kaduna.
He also interacted with retired military senior officers of Southern Kaduna extraction to chart ways towards bringing an end to the incessant attacks in the area.
The visit has impacted positively to the peace efforts in the area. In a related development, troops while on patrol received a distress call on the activities of criminal elements in Heipang in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“Troop quickly moved into a swift action and on sighting own troops the criminal fled in disarray. The exploit led to the recovery of 178 rustled cows. The recovered cows were handed over to the appropriate authority for further handing over to the owner”.
The Director added that, “Troops also carried out series of community engagements, sensitization programme and civil military cooperations activities to engage relevant civil society in a non-kinetic approach in resolving lingering security challenges which has recorded a huge successes in curtailing banditry and other criminals related activities in the theatre of operation”.
He added:“In another development, on 21 April 2022, the Commander of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN at its Headquarters in Jos handed over a total of 517 small arms and light weapons recovered from bandits and other criminal elements to the Coordinator North Central Zone of the National Centre for the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
He, however, commended troops for their resilience and successes recorded at stamping out criminal activities and the recovery of numerous illicit weapons.
This is as he also commended the spirited citizens who gave actionable information to the troops that led to the huge success recorded.
“The breakdown of the weapons are 26 AK 47 rifles, 1 FN, 2 Barreta rifles, 3G3 rifles, 6 Barreta pistols, 1 Harris Bing pistols and 1 SMG. Others include 183 locally fabricated rifles, 163 dane guns, 102 locally fabricated pistols, 19 locally fabricated SMGs, 6 single barrel guns and pump action gun”.
