The Defence Headquarters has released the names of terrorist kingpins killed during different operations in the northern part of the country.
According to the military, they were killed in operations between January and March 2024.
The names of the terror kingpins are Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok) – Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi. He was described as a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State, as well as the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The DHQ said he was killed by troops on February 24.
Others were Kachallah Damina, neutralised on March 24 by troops, 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.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, revealed the names to journalists during a briefing in Abuja.
“The above was achieved 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,” Buba added.
He said a total of 2,351 terrorists were killed, 2,308 arrested and 1,241 kidnap hostages rescued during the period under review.
Buba said, “Troops equally conducted ambushes, raids, fighting patrols and offensive against the terrorists. The attacks and offensive actions by troops during the period led to 2,351 terrorists neutralised, 2,308 terrorists arrested and 1,241 kidnap hostages rescued. Furthermore, troops recovered 2,847 weapons and 58,492 caches of ammunition.”
On the operations against crude oil theft, Buba said stolen products worth N20bn were recovered by troops between January and March.
He said, “Troops denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over N20,331,713,910. About 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 items, were recovered.”
