Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has officially confirmed the demise of Ali Kachala Kawaje, a wanted terrorist leader, alongside 38 other terrorist commanders in airstrikes conducted in Niger State. The operations also targeted other wanted terrorists, signaling an intensified effort to apprehend them.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed these developments in a statement on Friday. According to the statement, air assets carried out aggressive flights on confirmed locations with the active presence of terrorist commanders and foot soldiers. The strikes resulted in the elimination of over 38 terrorist commanders, with 159 arrests made.
Notably, two major airstrikes on a terrorist enclave were conducted, with one on Dec 6 neutralizing top terrorist commanders, including Machika, a bomb expert, and the younger brother of notorious terrorist Dogo Gide. Other leaders such as Haro and Dan Muhammadu, specialists in kidnapping and assault operations, were also neutralized.
Ali Alhaji Alheri, a notorious terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of students in Zamfara State, was neutralized in Munya LGA of Niger State, along with numerous foot soldiers. The military asserts its determination to close in on other wanted terrorists.
In a related development, troops arrested Uchechukwu Akpa, a prominent commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Akpa was apprehended along with three sub-commanders after a raid on their hideout in Enugu State. They planned to take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter and attack troop locations.
The military reported the arrest of 66 suspected oil thieves and the rescue of 89 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, 67 assorted weapons, 1,194 assorted ammunition, and stolen products worth N161,232,500.00 were recovered. The items include rifles, pistols, ammunition, vehicles, mobile phones, motorcycles, and laptops.
In the Niger Delta, troops destroyed 64 illegal refining sites and recovered stolen crude oil. The armed forces emphasise their upper hand in the ongoing war, vowing to continue operations until terrorists surrender or are completely defeated.