DHQ: Troops kill several terrorists commanders in 3 months

***Create gaps in leadership structures of BHTs, ISWAP/JAS terrorists

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Nigeria military said its troops in the first quarter of this year killed several terrorists leaders across the country.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja while giving update on the military operations in the country, Director Defence Media Operations,
Major General, Markus Kangye listed some of the eliminated terrorists leaders to include;
Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Abdullahi (aka Honour), Jagaban and Dan Danger amongst others

He added that Abdullahi Ali, one of the leaders was captured alive with severe gun wounds.

Kangye said the efforts by the gallant troops created gaps in the command and leadership structures of BHTs as well as ISWAP/JAS terrorists.

“There were also infighting for supremacy within the ranks of the various terrorist factions, which sparked cracks in their leadership hierarchy, hence the observed confusion in their various camps. Our gallant troops exploited the situation and dealt decisively with them on various fronts, hence their resort to attack on soft targets and the use of IEDs and isolated ambushes.

“The sustained operations against the terrorists also led to the arrest of scores of them, rescue of kidnapped hostages as well as surrendering of many to our troops. Some gunrunners and terrorists’ logistics suppliers such asAlhaji Mansur Mohammed, Shehu Babangida, Sagi David, Blessing Paul, Shuaibu Maji were also arrested.

“During the Quarter, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Naira (7,428,648,246.00) only.

“The breakdown indicates: 6,290,437 litres of stolen crude 
oil, 1,319,350 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,130 litres of DPK and 4,545 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 257 crude oil cooking ovens, 128 dugout pits, 192 boats, 138 storage tanks, 236 drums and 122 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include; barge, speedboats, pumping machines, drilling machines, and over 90 vehicles.

“ Relatedly, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and IEDs. Additionally, huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered.

“The gallant men and women of the AFN in conjunction with other security agencies as well as hybrid forces will continue to observe the laws of armed conflict, rules of engagement and code of conduct for internal security operations as they synergize efforts at addressing the myriads of security challenges bedeviling our dear nation, in line with our constitutional roles.”