The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday released a list of terrorist commanders killed during different operations between January and March 2024 in the northern part of the country. The names are Abu Bilal Minuki (aka Abubakar Mainok); Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP) and Haruna Isiya Boderi, a notorious terrorist who operated along Birnin Gwari Forest, Kaduna State and also the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
Others are Kachallah Damina, who was neutralized alongside over 50 combatants on March 24; Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Alhaji Baldu, Ubangida, amongst others.
This development was made known during a media briefing by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who stated that it was achieved as a result of synchronized strikes by ground and air forces on terrorist camps.
He said, “For instance, 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 terrorist.
“The Armed Forces is 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 may be hiding and hibernating. Our aim is to kill this terrorist and the infrastructure that supports them.”
According to him a total of about 2,351 terrorists were killed, 2,308 arrested while about 1,241 kidnapped hostages were rescued during the period under review.