The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that Nigerian troops engaged in internal operations killed a total of 1,116 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists, and rescued 721 kidnapped persons in August 2024.
Additionally, the troops recovered 391 weapons, 15,234 rounds of ammunition, and stolen products valued at over N5 billion (N5,045,160,010.00) during the same period.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, stated that the military’s operations across the country have “significantly diminished the military capabilities of terror groups and denied them the ability to carry out major offensives.”
He named some of the neutralized terrorist commanders, including Munir Arika, Sani Dilla (also known as Dan Hausawan Jibilarram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, Bakoura Araina Chikin, Dungusu, Abu Darda, and Abu Rijab. In the North-West region, commanders such as Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakariyya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zangon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur, and Kamilu Buzaru were also neutralized.
Major General Buba provided a breakdown of the recovered weapons, which included 208 AK-47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 53 dane guns, 36 pump-action guns, 10,452 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, 293 cartridges, 42 assorted arms, and 2,498 assorted rounds of ammunition. Additionally, the troops recovered 5,047,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 1,152,500 litres of illegally refined AGO, 320 litres of DPK, and 28,500 litres of PMS, among other items.
He emphasized that the terrorists’ motivation “is getting lower and lower in the North-East,” which has led to a significant number of fighters surrendering. The military aims to replicate this success in other theatres of operation to bring peace and safety to citizens across the country.
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“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 armed forces are prepared to act with the relevant level of force needed to dismantle these terror groups,” Major General Buba stated.
He further added, “The military is on high alert, and we have increased our readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression. The troops’ strategy is to undermine the abilities of those terror groups and create conditions whereby they cannot carry out acts of terror or harm citizens.”
Major General Buba concluded by urging citizens to be patient and understand that “this war is not a quick fix, but a long and enduring military operation. It is certain that, at the end, these terrorists will be destroyed, and our nation will be safe and peaceful again.”
