The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Saturday announced that a high-profile terrorist commander, Ibn Ali, has surrendered to Nigerian troops in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Naijaonpoint reports that the development was confirmed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in a statement issued in Abuja.
According to Kangye, the notorious commander turned himself in with weapons and a cache of ammunition. He added that dozens of other insurgents, including men, women, and children, also surrendered as troops intensified their push across several fronts under Operation Hadin Kai between July 4 and July 10.
Kangye said, “Troops neutralised scores of terrorists in operations carried out in Platari, Sambisa Forest, and the Timbuktu triangle.
“In other operations spanning Gwoza, Kaga, Mafa, Ngala, Abadam, Biu, Konduga, Damboa, and Dikwa LGAs in Borno, as well as Madagali LGA in Adamawa, five terrorist collaborators were arrested and four kidnapped victims were rescued.”
Recovered items included arms, ammunition, IEDs, and a sum of ₦822,500. Kangye noted that IEDs were successfully retrieved and safely detonated.
In the North-West, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma carried out a major air raid on July 10 in Zamfara State, in collaboration with ground forces.
“Scores of terrorist leaders and commanders were taken out during the strike,” Kangye disclosed, noting that patrol teams also eliminated several terrorists, apprehended five, and rescued two kidnapped victims in follow-up operations.
Troops under Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State reportedly killed several violent extremists, arrested 18, and rescued seven kidnap victims. In a separate operation on July 6, troops foiled an ambush by a militia along Kafi-Abu-Rakwok Road in Barkin Ladi, recovering a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, magazines, and 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
In Benue and Taraba States, under Operation Whirl Stroke, troops carried out operations in Makurdi, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Karim Lamido, Takum, and Jalingo. Several extremists were neutralised, eight suspects arrested, and two kidnap victims rescued.
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe thwarted oil theft operations worth over ₦263.8 million. Items recovered included:
198,482 litres of stolen crude oil
63,846 litres of illegally refined diesel
947 litres of petrol
Also destroyed were 24 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 15 illegal refineries, and several storage facilities.
“Eight oil thieves and other criminals were apprehended, while weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and boats were recovered,” Kangye stated.
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested a logistics supplier and sponsor of the Mother Valley IPOB/ESN camp in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
“Four other IPOB/ESN members and informants were also picked up in Ihiala and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Anambra and Imo states, respectively,” Kangye added.