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Military neutralises 1,166 terrorists, apprehends 1,096 suspects –DHQ
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops eliminated 1,166 terrorists and apprehended 1,096 suspects in 29 days across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the armed forces on Thursday in Abuja.
Buba said the troops also rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.
He said the troops also recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 ammunitions comprising 208 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump action guns, and 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo within the month.
Others, according to him, are 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm
NATO, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms and 2,498 assorted ammunitions.
He said that several terrorist leaders and commanders were taken off the battlefield as a result of military onslaught during the month. #
According to him, those in the North Eeast include: Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (aka Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda and Abu Rijab.
“Those in the North West include; Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Kamilu Buzaru, among others.
“Ongoing operations across the country have significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied the terrorist the ability to carry out major offensive.
“The situation experienced mostly these days are low level skirmishes and attacks on soft targets.
“We are aware that we are dealing with a shrewd, ruthless and brutal enemy that must be stopped from their acts of terror.
“Accordingly, the military is prepared to act with the relevant level of force that would be needed to dismantle these terror groups.
“Troops strategy is to undermine the abilities of these terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.
“Accordingly, the military has prioritised targeting the terrorist leaders, commanders, foot soldiers as well as their collaborators,’’ he said.
In the North East, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadin Kai, nutralised 292 terrorists, apprehended 254 suspects and rescued 213 kidnapped hostages during the month.
He added a total of 2,742 Boka Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families, surrendered to troops as well as recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition.
In the North Central, Buba said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised 50 violent extremist, apprehended 290 and rescued 121 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Stroke, he said the troops neutralised 37 terrorists, arrested 94 suspects and rescued 68 kidnapped hostages.
In the North West, the defence spokesman said the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 153 terrorists, arrested 97 suspects and rescued 186 kidnap hostages as well as recovery of cache of arms.
Under Operation Whirl Punch, he said the troops neutralised 63 terrorists, apprehended 291 suspects and rescued 62 kidnap hostages, with recovery of cache of arms and ammunition.
In the South-South, Buba said the troops of Operation Delta Safe, spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day in August.
He said the troops apprehended 71 persons involved in crude oil theft and impounded 5,047,150 litres of crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of AGO, 320 litres of DPK and 28,500 litres of PMS.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 194 assorted ammunition and destroyed 125 wooden boats as well as 458 illegal refining sites.
“Nevertheless, troops are urging for more transparency by the IOCs, accurate metering, cooperation of stakeholders in the sector and well cooperation from the local communities.
“Troops are also monitoring the prosecution of culprits perpetrating crude oil theft,’’ he added.
In the South East, Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group and neutralised 34 terrorists, apprehended 82 suspects and rescued 26 kidnap hostages. (NAN)
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”
The Nigerian military has called for stronger collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure proper documentation of individuals entering the country, citing the role of foreign herders in escalating violence in regions like Plateau and Benue States.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
“There are agencies responsible for this, and we need to collaborate effectively,” Kangye said, emphasizing the importance of a joint framework to tackle insecurity.
“Those entering Nigeria must be properly documented and accounted for.”
He said recent attacks by armed herders in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country have left dozens dead and displaced thousands, particularly in farming communities.
Kangye revealed that investigations point to foreign herders as the primary perpetrators of these violent attacks, with their distinct speech patterns and physical features setting them apart from local herders.
“The Hausa language spoken in Nigeria differs significantly from that in Mali, the Central African Republic, or Ghana,” he explained.
“When we apprehend these herders and terrorists, their speech and appearance—sometimes even their hair—indicate they are not from Nigeria.”
He noted that the Shuwa Arabs in Borno are the only Nigerian community with some similarities to Sahel-region herders, but even they are distinguishable.
While acknowledging that some Nigerian herders contribute to conflicts by encroaching on farmlands, Kangye stressed that the majority of the violence is driven by foreigners crossing Nigeria’s porous borders.
“The ongoing killings reported in certain areas are primarily committed by individuals who have infiltrated our borders,” he said.