The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the surrender of two notorious terrorist leaders, Abu Radde and Umar Black, who previously operated in Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
The duo surrendered to troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on January 19, 2025, following intensified offensives by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the Northwest region.
Successes of the Offensive Operations
In a statement on Tuesday, the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, revealed that the coordinated ground and air assaults forced the terrorists to abandon their strongholds, leaving many casualties in their wake.
“On January 19, 2025, two prominent terrorist leaders, Abu Radde and Umar Black, surrendered to troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the Northwest operational theatre,” Buba said.
He added, “The surrender followed synchronized offensive operations by ground troops and air components, resulting in the dislodgement of several terrorists from their enclaves. High casualties were inflicted on the terrorists, while troops recovered assorted weapons and ammunition and successfully rescued 15 hostages.”
The Hunt for Bello Turji
Despite this victory, Maj. Gen. Buba emphasized that the fight against terrorism in the region was far from over. He noted that efforts to capture the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, were ongoing.
“Troops are sustaining the momentum in the hunt for Bello Turji and other criminal elements. Our mission remains to eliminate all threats posed by terrorists and deny them the ability to terrorize citizens. The terrorists must either surrender or face destruction on the battlefield,” he stated.
Commitment to Securing Citizens
Buba assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would continue operations to safeguard the nation. He reiterated their commitment to creating an environment where terrorists are incapacitated and unable to harm citizens.
The recent successes of the Nigerian military signal progress in the ongoing fight against terrorism, but challenges remain as security forces push to rid the country of all insurgent activities.
