DHQ: Armed Forces Fighting Vicious Foes, Prepared to Hunt Down Enemies of State

Vanquish 2,251 terrorist leaders, others in three months, arrest 2,308 insurgents, rescue 1,241 kidnap hostages, recover 2, 847 weapons IG: 3,685 crime suspects arrested in eight weeks

Defence Headquarters (DHQ), yesterday, declared that the Armed Forces of Nigeria were engaged in a battle against vicious foes but remained prepared to contain the enemies of state.

It said from January to March 2024, 2,351 terrorists were neutralised, 2,308 insurgents arrested and 1,241 kidnapped hostages rescued even as troops recovered 2,847 weapons, 58,492 ammunition and prevented oil theft of an estimated sum over N20 billion within the period under review.

This came as the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said police arrested 3,685 suspects, rescued 401 kidnapped victims, and recovered of 216 firearms, 3,601 ammunition, and 82 vehicles in past eight weeks.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, the Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj Gen Edward Buba, said security forces battled "a vicious enemy" which armed forces were determined to contain.

"The armed forces are 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," he vowed.

He said the military deployed significant firepower to neutralise several terrorists and disrupt their activities.

"Indeed, 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.

"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.

"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," he said.

Buba said the operations were conducted through synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces on terrorist enclaves.

"For instance, immediately upon acquisition of vital targets, fighter jets are scrambled to carry out major bombarding raids on significant terrorist enclaves," he said.

According to him, several weapons were recovered including 1,497 AK47 rifles, 33,878 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12,698 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 948 assorted arms and 5,520 assorted ammunition.

Meanwhile, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said the police arrested 3,685 suspects, rescued 401 kidnapped victims, and recovered of 216 firearms, 3,601 ammunition, and 82 vehicles in past eight weeks.

Speaking in Ohoro Forest, Ughelli North LGA of Delta State, where six police officers were ambushed and gruesomely killed during a special operation, significant progress was recorded leading to the arrest of nine suspect.