The Nation Newspaper
Terrorists suffered a heavy blow from military onslaught in the past week with many of them killed, the Defence Headquarters said yesterday.
Many parts of the North have been reeling from an upsurge in terrorist activities.
Insurgents had attacked four military formations in Borno State and dislodged troops, with many civilians and security agents killed.
There have also been attacks on Plateau communities, with many killed and property destroyed.
In a statement yesterday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, said troops in collaboration with other security agencies and hybrid forces recorded successes in neutralising several insurgents.
They also rescued abducted persons, arrested insurgents and recovered arms and ammunition, as well as stolen crude oil in the Southsouth.
Kangye said between April 10 and 14, troops raided Konduga, Kukawa, Abadam and Mobbar in Borno and Gujba in Yobe.
Some terrorists were neutralised and others apprehended, while PKT guns, AK-47 rifles, Dane guns, PKT barrels and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as Improvised Explosive Devices were seized.
The spokesman said troops intercepted seven terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered supplies in Monguno, Mobbar and Kukawa in Borno and Potiskum in Yobe.
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According to him, scores of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, comprising adult males, adult females and some children, surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation.
Kangye said within the period, troops also neutralised many terrorists and bandits in Tsafe, Talata Mafara, Kaura Namoda and Maru in Zamfara, Northwest.
He said: “A terrorist kingpin, Bello Kaura, was also neutralised in an air interdiction.
“Troops also arrested some terrorists and rescued 17 kidnapped victims.”
Terrorists were also eliminated in Bungudu and Maradun, Zamfara State, with three arrested.
Five kidnapped victims and two students of the Federal University of Dutsi-Ma were freed, the spokesman said.
Troops also recovered arms and assorted kinds of 7.62mm ammunition, motorcycles and rustled cows.
“Troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 13 suspected terrorists and a gunrunner in Giwa and Chikun Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, and Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State on April 11 and 13,” Kangye said.
In Plateau State, the defence spokesman said troops’ onslaught in Barkin Ladi, Wase, Jos South, Mangu and Bassa, and Jama’a and Sanga in Kaduna State, led to the neutralisation of many terrorists and the rescue of 21 kidnap victims.
Eight suspected criminals/kidnappers were arrested in Jos North, Bassa, Shendam and Jama’a in Plateau, Kangye said.
He added that troops were similarly active in the Niger Delta.
Kangye said: “The troops seized 117,395 litres of stolen crude oil, 22,050 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,000 litres of DPK and 8,060 litres of PMS.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 102 crude oil cooking ovens, 94 dugout pits, 18 boats, four speedboats, 56 storage tanks, 164 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, galvanised pipes, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and nine vehicles.
“We are committed to taking the battle to the enemy to deny them freedom of action, thereby making them thirst for surrender.”
Also yesterday, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) component of Operation Hadin Kai, in a military onslaught against Boko Haram in the Northeast, neutralised scores of terrorists in the Sambisa general area and the Southern Tumbuns in Borno.
It also destroyed terrorists’ infrastructure and hideouts in the areas.
NAF’s spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said in a statement that the air strikes were executed at the two terrorist strongholds on April 15.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said the recent increase in terrorist attacks will not diminish the military’s determination.
In a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, the CDS said troops were more dedicated to duty despite difficult challenges.
Northern coalition seeks action
Also yesterday, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) described the killings in Plateau as senseless and unacceptable.
It called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to stop the violence and bring those responsible to justice.
In a statement by the National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, CNG said: “These killings are not isolated. They are part of a broader resurgence of violence across the North, including terrorist attacks by Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and ethno-religious clashes in the Northcentral.
“The government’s tepid response has emboldened killers, leaving citizens to question its commitment to their safety.
“For years, our communities have endured unending cycles of violence while the government issues hollow condolences and empty promises.
“The blood of Nigerians is not cheap. We reject the normalisation of these tragedies and demand accountability through result-oriented action.
“The CNG demands that the President halt his holiday in France in the face of the massacre of his citizens, whose resources he is utilising insatiably to return to confront the problem head-on. It is a case of Nero fiddling while Rome is burning.
“We demand that reinforced security forces be deployed at all flashpoints in Plateau to protect civilians. The government must adopt brutal efficiency in dismantling terror networks.
“We demand that all perpetrators be arrested and prosecuted, including sponsors of these attacks.
“The era of impunity must end immediately and permanently.
“Nigeria’s security framework must be overhauled to prioritise intelligence-driven operations, community engagement, and collaboration with locals.”
CAN donates relief materials
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) donated relief materials to victims of attacks in Bokkos, Plateau.
Its Vice President, Rev. Stephen Panya-Baba, presented the items yesterday.
Gunmen on April 2 attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in Manguna District of the locality.
The relief materials include building materials, foodstuffs, and toiletries, among others.
“They are an expression of our deepest concern, genuine love, and care for all of you,” Panya-Baba said.
