The Nigerian military on Thursday has confirmed that another notorious terrorist leader known as Mai Hijabi and his combatants terrorised communities in Jigawa State was eliminated on the battlefied during the week.
Director Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba disclosed this today at the biweekly media briefing with Defence correspondents at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
General Buba oted that he and his combatants terrorised communities in Jigawa State, he is now history and same fate awaits several other terrorist leaders and commanders.
He also noted that during the week under review, troops neutralised 165 and arrested 238 persons. Troops also arrested 35 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 188 kidnapped hostages.
In the South South, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N688,125,150.00 only. Furthermore, troops recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 58 boats and 39 storage tanks, among others. Troops equally recovered include 13 cooking ovens, 13 vehicles and 65 illegal refining sites. Troops also recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO.
General Buba also revealed that troops of Operation HADIN KΑΙ neutralized 83 terrorists, arrested 56 suspects and rescued 50 kidnappers hostages and Troops recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 13 fabricated rifles and 814 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo amongst others.
In one week, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 8 violent extremists, arrested 39 violent extremists and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 8 violent extremists, arrested 39 violent extremists and rescued 33 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 190 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amongst others.
Also in one week, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 11 terrorists, arrested 17 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 8 AK47 rifles, 110 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 72 rounds of 9mm ammo amongst others.
Also in one week, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 40 terrorists, arrested 21 terrorists and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 200 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 90 rounds of 7.62mm NATO amongst others
The air component of Operation HADARIN DAJI on 2 October 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Ado Ailero's in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State, was acquired and engaged.
General Buba affirmed that battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists hibernating at the location were neutralized and their logistics destroyed. Similarly, air interdictions were conducted, on 4 October 2024, on terrorist hideout around Bayan Ruwa in Maradun LGA of Zamfara State.
The location was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, their structures as well as logistics destroyed.
In one week, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO.
The air component of Operation UDO KA conducted air interdiction on IPOB/ESN terrorists camp at Mother Valley.
Recall that the Mother Valley spans from Orsu to Ihiala LGAs of Imo and Anambra States. Several camps within the Mother Valley were decimated. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures as well as logistics destroyed
Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 9 terrorists, arrested 21 violent extremists and rescued 14 kidnapped hostages Troops recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 162 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 70 rounds of 50mm ammo amongst others. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
General Buba also stressed that the role in the ongoing war is clear, and we are increasingly making progress. Nevertheless, we are not oblivious of some security challenges faced by citizens in certain quarters. Accordingly, we are reassessing and making necessary adjustments to ensure peace and security for all citizens across the country.
"There is no greater price than for us as a force to be ready to lay our lives down to secure our nation and citizens.We have done it in the past, we are doing it now and shall continue to do it in the future.
"Our ongoing war effort is designed and crafted to defeat and destroy the terrorist which is the prerequisite of the armed forces. We have increased the intensity of our war efforts, which includes mobilization of lethal forces and air strikes on terrorists. All these combine to dismantle the terrorist networks and degrade the military capabilities as well as damage their fighting capabilities.
"As a lethal and professional force, we fully understand the importance of momentum. We must sustain the momentum and it is for this reason, we take the fight to the terrorist. Our operations have destroyed a substantial part of the combat capacity of the terrorists, particularly the terrorist leadership. Importantly, we are increasingly making significant strides and progress through our operations across the country." he said