Names of B'Haram leaders slain are released by the military

The identities of terrorist masterminds slain during several operations in the nation’s north were made public by the Defence Headquarters on Thursday.

The terrorist leaders were eliminated in operations between January and March 2024, according to the DHQ.

The leaders of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP), Abu Bilal Minuki (also known as Abubakar Mainok), and Haruna Isiya Boderi are the names of the terror kingpins. He was characterized as a well-known terrorist who operated along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway and the Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State.

According to the military, on February 24, he was slain by soldiers.

Along with more than fifty fighters, Kachallah Damina was also neutralized by the military on March 24. Other combatants included Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Ubangida, and Alhaji Baldu.

At a meeting in Abuja, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed the identities to media representatives.

“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 claimed that during the time under consideration, 2,351 terrorists were killed, 2,308 were taken into custody, and 1,241 hostages who had been kidnapped were freed.

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.”

Regarding the operations against crude oil theft, Buba reported that between January and March, troops recovered stolen goods valued at N20 billion.

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.”