… Deny theft of crude oil estimated at over N20bn
By Andrew Orolua
The Nigerian military said on Thursday that more than ten commanders of Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, and Boko Haram terrorist, BHT, and thousands of their foot soldiers were killed in action in the past three months.
Director of Defence Media Operations Major General Edward Buba, who disclosed this in Abuja, said “significant terrorist commanders killed include and is not limited to the following: Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi.”
Haruna Isiya Boderi – “He was a notorious terrorists who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State as well as the Abuja Kaduna Highway. He was killed by troops in 21 Feb 24,” Buba said.
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“Others are Kachallah Damina ( Neutralised in Mar 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, Kachallah Ubangida, Alhaji Baldu among several others.”
The director said the commanders were neutralised through synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves.
According to him, “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 terrorists. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period Jan – Mar 2024 resulted in neutralisation of 2,351 terrorists.
Troops also arrested 2,308 persons and rescued 1,241 kidnapped hostages. In addition, troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 billion (N20,331,713,910.00) only in the past three months.
Giving the breakdown of items recovered within the period, he said they include 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.
He said that the foregoing 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.”
On the ongoing investigation surrounding the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama, Major General Buba acknowledged that a traditional ruler among the eight persons declared wanted had submitted himself to the police which is leading the joint investigative team.
He said the investigation is ongoing and appealed to public for information regarding the whereabouts of the remaining seven persons.
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