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Tag: Terrorist

  • Military neutralises 108 terrorists, rescues 214 hostages in 1 week – DHQ

    Military neutralises 108 terrorists, rescues 214 hostages in 1 week – DHQ

    The Nigerian military in the last one week eliminated 108 terrorists amd  rescued 214 kidnapped hostages across the country.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Buba said  troops also apprehended 204 suspected terrorists and other criminal elements, recovered 66 assorted weapons and 4,087 assorted ammunition, comprising one dushka, one MG, two GPMGs, one RPG launcher, one RPG bomb, one AK56 rifle and 37 AK47 rifles.

    He added that the troops also recovered four MRAPs, two GTs, three fabricated rifles, six dane guns, three locally made pistols, six magazines, one bandolier and two HH radios.

    Other weapons, according to him, are 313 rounds of 7.62mm PKT, 2,362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 699 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 201 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm and 503 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm.

    “Also recovered are nine live cartridges, one belted of NATO ammo, 19 vehicles, 44 motorcycles, three mobile phones and the sum of N4.9 million amongst other items,’’ he said.

    In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised 47 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 130 kidnappers hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.

    He said that a total of 622 terrorists comprising 90 adult males 182 adult females and 350 children surrendered to troops during the week within the theatre of operations.

    Buba said the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, had on Aug. 2 conducted an air interdiction at newly uncovered BH/ISWAP terrorist’s hideout and IED factory in Mandara Mountains.

    According to him, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated and the IED factory as well as their logistics destroyed.

    In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke, neutralised 13 insurgents, apprehended 57 violent extremists and rescued 36 kidnapped hostages during the week.

    In the North West, Buba said the troops of Hadarin Daji, neutralised 15 terrorists, arrested 22 terrorists and rescued 27 kidnapped hostages across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.

    He said the air component conducted successful air interdiction missions at suspected terrorists kingpin Kamilu Burazu’s enclave and newly uncovered terrorists hideout In Danmusa and Batsari Local Government Areas of Katsina State.

    According to him, battle damage assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures as well as logistics were destroyed.

    Under Operation Whirl Punch, Buba said the troops neutralised eight terrorists, arrested 22 suspects and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages in Kaduna, Niger and Kogi States.

    He added that the air component eliminated several terrorists and destroyed the camp of a terrorists’ kingpin, Buhari in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, recovered 1.13 million litres of stolen crude oil, and 228,770 litres of illegally refined AGO, as well as 100 litres of DPK and 20,000 litres of PMS.

    He added that troops discovered and destroyed 487 dugout pits, 32 boats and 12 storage tanks as well as 71 cooking ovens, two speedboats, two pumping machines, and two HH radios.

    According to him, troops also recovered 19 vehicles, 32 motorcycles, one tricycle, one wheelbarrow and destroyed 76 illegal refining sites.

    He added that troops rescued five kidnapped hostages and apprehended 32 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists and also recovered 11 assorted weapons.

    In the South East, Buba said that troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised five terrorists, arrested 12 violent extremists and rescued four kidnapped hostages.

    “All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action,’’ he added.

  • Nigerian military declares Nigerien Terrorist, Halilu Buzu wanted

    Nigerian military declares Nigerien Terrorist, Halilu Buzu wanted

    The Nigerian Military has declared  Halilu Buzu, a national of  Buzu in Republic of Niger wanted for terrorising Nigerian territory, particularly Zamfara.

    The Director of  Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja, at a media briefing on the operations of the military.

    Buba said the notorious suspected terrorist leader settled in Subbubu Forest in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara.

    He said that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.

    According to Buba, the terrorist is also a prominent cattle rustler.

    He said that the Buzu’s group had in the last week killed 19 villagers at Farar Kasa.

    ”He is a High Value Target and we hereby declare him wanted.

    ”Furthermore, he is a major arms supplier, trusted by arms dealers supplying arms from Libya.

    ”We have been on his trail and whenever we close in on him, he bolts across the border into Republic of Niger for refuge.

    ”At this time, we are through appropriate channels calling on the Nigerien authorities, regional and international bodies to support in effecting his arrest to hold him accountable for his atrocities,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Terrorists reportedly k!ll vigilantes, kidnap 2 village heads, others in Kaduna

    JUST IN: Terrorists reportedly k!ll vigilantes, kidnap 2 village heads, others in Kaduna

    Some terrorists have reportedly killed eight vigilante members and two other persons in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages under Kakangi Ward were also abducted.

    A resident of the LG identified as Idris Khalid, who confirmed the incident that the gun-wielding men invaded the villages at about early Thursday.

    The eight vigilante members who were killed in Kakangi were Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.

    Khalid added that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja community under Gayam Ward were identified as Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.

    He said the vigilantes were attacked while trailing the kidnapped victims who were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.

    “The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.

    “Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims

    “It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.

    When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said, “We are investigating the matter to unravel the true story because the area where the incident happened had a network problem.

  • Airstrikes neutralised 30 terrorist fighters in Borno – NAF

    Airstrikes neutralised 30 terrorist fighters in Borno – NAF

    The air component of Operation Hadarin Kai (OPHK) has executed a precision airstrike on the hideouts of ISWAP terrorists, silencing over 30 of their fighters within Kolleram village along the shores of Lake Chad.

    In a statement signed by the Director, Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force on Tuesday in Abuja, AVM Edward Gabkwet, said the airstrikes conducted on April 13 were a decisive blow against terrorism in the North-East.

    He said the operation yielded significant success as the battle damage assessment post-strike conducted revealed the neutralisation of over 30 terrorists.

    Gabkwet said that among those neutralised were some senior commanders of the insurgents including Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah, and Mallam Ari.

    “Additionally, numerous vehicles, motorcycles, and logistical assets were destroyed, severely hampering the terrorists’ operational capabilities.

    “Intelligence gathered after the air strike further indicated that the aerial bombardment effectively obliterated a key facility within the Kolleram enclave, which served as a hub for the terrorists’ food processing activities, including grinding machines.

    “The success of these airstrikes underscores NAF’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens.

    “By neutralising key terrorist figures and destroying their logistical infrastructure, the operation has significantly degraded the capabilities of the ISWAP group in the region.

    “These airstrikes complement the ongoing efforts of ground forces in the Lake Chad flank and represent a crucial step forward in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria,” he said.

  • BREAKING! Military releases list of wasted terrorists commanders

    BREAKING! Military releases list of wasted terrorists commanders

    The Defence Headquarters, on Thursday released the names of terrorist kingpins killed during different operations in the northern part of the country.

    The DHQ noted that the terrorist commanders were killed in separate operations between January and March 2024.

    The names of the terrorist kingpins are 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 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 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.

    Details shortly…

  • INSECURITY! CDS confesses, says we’re too stretched, forests too vast, informants are deceitful

    INSECURITY! CDS confesses, says we’re too stretched, forests too vast, informants are deceitful

    Nigeria’s Defence Chief, Chris Musa, has said the military was being fed bad intelligence by informants, hampering the fight against armed kidnapping gangs who continue to abduct students and residents in the north of the country.

    The military announced on Sunday that it had rescued 137 students abducted by gunmen earlier this month in northwestern Kaduna state. The school children arrived in Kaduna on Monday.

    Musa told Reuters that the military was too stretched and often relied on informants to pursue the armed gangs, known locally as bandits, often with little success.

    “They (informants) make the troops go elsewhere and when they get there, they meet nothing and allow the bandits to commit acts of criminality,” said Musa.

    Musa said there had been no confrontation with gunmen during the rescue of the Kaduna students. But he would not say how the students were freed or if any of the gunmen were taken into custody.

    There have been at least 68 mass abductions in the first quarter of 2024 mostly in northern Nigeria, according to risk consultancy SBM Intelligence.

    Musa said once bandits retreat to Nigeria’s vast forests, it becomes difficult to pursue them. That is because gunmen quickly trek through the forest, often for days with their victims.

  • Troops silence terrorist disguising as Police Officer in Sokoto

    Troops silence terrorist disguising as Police Officer in Sokoto

    The Nigerian Army working in collaboration with vigilantes have wasted a dangerous terrorist, who has been disguising as a Police officer in Sokoto to perpetrate heinous crimes.

    A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the violent extremist who was eliminated on Wednesday 20 March 2024 had often employed disguise to deceive and kidnap unsuspecting victims.

    The troops also uncovered and destroyed a house used as a covert facility by the insurgent kingpins to store drugs and administer treatments to wounded insurgents.

    The statement adds that in a separate counter insurgency operation in Taraba State, troops neutralized another insurgent in Kutoko Village, in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State in an offensive that resulted in the recovery of an AK-47 Rifle and a Magazine containing 4 live rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

    As insecurity in the North-West continues to escalate, troops have intensified efforts to rid the zone of marauding insurgents.

    This operation follows a call earlier in March by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, for intensified operations against terrorists and bandits in the North-West against the backdrop of incessant insecurity occasioned by the activities of terrorists and bandits.

    The Minister has directed the Nigerian Military to adopt a more proactive approach in decimating the activities of bandits, and in dealing with insecurity in the above-mentioned states as he emphasised the need for synergy amongst the Services, to be able to wipe out insurgency and other form criminalities in the region.

  • IPOB berates Federal Government over ‘terrorist’ tag

    IPOB berates Federal Government over ‘terrorist’ tag

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Friday asked the Federal Government to remove the “terrorist” tag it placed on the group or appear in court to defend it.

    On September, 20, 2017, ustice Abdul Kafarati granted an ex parte order proscribing IPOB as a ‘terrorist’ organisation.

    But the pro-Biafran group, in a statement by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the Federal Government has refused to appear at the Appeal Court to defend their proscription order.

    According to Powerful, the proscription order had been appealed at the Appeal Court since 2018 by the IPOB legal team. Still, the Federal Government of Nigeria keeps using a “slow and warped” justice system to frustrate its hearing.

    Powerful said, “Ever since the IPOB’s proscription was appealed, the Federal Government and her compromised Judges have been running away from meeting the IPOB legal team in their court.

    “The Federal Government and her Courts are running while the IPOB legal team awaits them in the court to continue what they started.

    “The IPOB, ably led by our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, wondered why the Federal Government is running away from defending their ‘black market’ proscription of IPOB before the Appeal Court.

  • We are coming after bandits, terrorists, vows CDS

    We are coming after bandits, terrorists, vows CDS

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, has said that the military will flush out bandits and terrorists from the country.

    The CDS made the commitment on Friday in Kaduna when he paid a courtesy visit to Gov. Uba Sani at government house.

    He said, “for terrorists and bandits, it’s just a matter of time. We are coming after them and we are going to get them to leave the country completely.”

    According to him, “we are re-assessing our theatres of operation to make them more robust and more result oriented.”

    He explained that the military is expanding its operation to close the gap while changing its mode of operation which could be both kinetic and non-kinetic.

    “As military officers, you must take the two operations together, deploying more troops to close the gap in other to make it more difficult for terrorists to move about freely,” he noted.

    The CDS also appealed to everyone to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements, adding that everyone has a role to play in security.

    Musa reiterated the desire to make Kaduna peaceful, following its strategic nature, and the fact that people regard Kaduna as a home to all.

    He assured that the military will come out successful from all the security and economic challenges.

    On his part, Gov. Uba Sani renewed the state government’s appeal for the prolonged stay of the Special Forces in the ongoing campaign against banditry and terrorism.

    He also requested that Operation Safe Haven in Southern Kaduna general area be expanded due to the challenges around Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Kauru and Sanga Local Government Areas (LGAs).

    He said such an expansion will go a long way in containing threats and consolidating ongoing efforts in those areas.

    The governor also noted that measures are required in the Birnin Gwari general area, to restrict bandits and terrorists from using the Kuduru, Kuyanbana and Kamuku forests as their hideouts.

    He said there is also the need to further constrict the corridors connecting Birnin Gwari with neighboring States like Zamfara, Niger and Katsina, and stop criminals from using the corridors.

    According to him, “we have stepped up efforts towards inter-state collaboration in the fight against banditry and terrorism.”

    Sani said he is in constant touch with his colleague Governors and strategies are being finetuned to deny criminal elements safe havens or hideouts in any of the neighbouring states in the North West or North Central.

    He also assured of the state government’s commitment to sustain the cordial relationship with the military.

    “Remember that you can always count on our earnest prayers, sincere support and best wishes as you lead the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” he said.

  • NAF airstrikes hit remnants of terrorists in Borno

    NAF airstrikes hit remnants of terrorists in Borno

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, has in an early morning air strike on Monday, dislodged terrorists from their enclaves at Suwa in Kala Balge Local Government Area of Borno.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Gabkwet said that Suwa was a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists in Gezuwa general area near Sambisa Forest until it was dislodged by the military and other security agencies.

    He said that recent intelligence revealed the massing up of terrorists within the area with likely plans to attack troops on patrol along major routes to Bama and Mafa Local Government Areas of the state.

    According to him, further intelligence also revealed that the same group of terrorists had perfected plans to attack troops stationed around Rann in Kalabalge Local Government Area.

    “Accordingly, air strikes were authorized with confirmatory assessments revealing several terrorists neutralised and structures destroyed thereby degrading their ability to attack friendly forces and innocent law abiding civilians.

    “It has now become evident that the efforts of the entire security agencies operating in the Northeast has, to a large extend, yielded the requisite outcome, though a lot still needs to be done.

    “The need to sustain the momentum is thus expedient, just all the support of all Nigerians to the Armed Forces and other security agencies is essential as they clear the region of all criminal elements.

    “For the Air Component Commanders in all joint operating theatres, the directive of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, remains clear and unambiguous: that is ‘Stop at nothing in going after these criminals and ensure they are brought to justice. The era of treating them with kids’ gloves is long over’,” he said.