Emmanuel Daudu
In an unprecedented demonstration of military might and strategic prowess, the Nigerian Armed Forces have neutralized over 1,937 terrorists in a series of operations conducted between July and September 2024.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations made this known while addressing the media at a press conference today in Abuja.
Maj. Gen. Buba outlined the successes of ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaigns aimed at crippling terrorist networks across the country.
He revealed that synchronized air and ground offensives were instrumental in weakening the operational capacity of terrorist factions, dealing a significant blow to their leadership structures.
The military offensive, described as relentless, resulted in the elimination of over 65 high-ranking terrorist leaders and commanders.
Among the notable figures neutralized were Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), and Ameer Modu, along with infamous combatants such as Matawal Bitrus and Thomas Benedict. These leaders had long been on the radar for spearheading insurgent activities in various regions.
“The destruction of terrorist leadership is central to our ongoing operations. Our forces are focused on dismantling these networks, and the list of those neutralized underscores our commitment to eradicating this threat,” Maj. Gen. Buba said
He disclosed that Nigerian troops also rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages from captivity during the third quarter of the year.
The military reported the arrest of 2,782 suspected terrorists and criminal elements.
Additionally, troops recovered a staggering 1,304 weapons and over 43,000 rounds of ammunition.
Among the recovered armaments were 688 AK-47 rifles and 32,945 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
These actions have significantly weakened the terrorists’ ability to regroup and launch new attacks.
The military operations extended beyond the battlefield, as troops disrupted illegal oil activities, preventing the theft of over N13 billion worth of crude oil. The breakdown includes the recovery of 12 million litres of stolen crude oil, 2.6 million litres of illegally refined AGO (Automotive Gas Oil), and over 31,000 litres of PMS (Petroleum Motor Spirit), alongside other valuable resources.
“These efforts are yielding results, and Nigeria’s daily crude oil production output has reached an all-time high. We are on track to meet our national production target,” the military spokesperson added.
As the Nigerian Armed Forces continue to intensify pressure on terrorist groups, Maj. Gen. Buba reiterated the military’s commitment to completely dismantling the infrastructure of terror.
“Our mission is clear: we will keep attacking any identified threats until these groups are decapitated and no longer able to launch terror attacks against our citizens,” he affirmed.
The military’s comprehensive efforts signal a turning point in the fight against terrorism, as the nation inches closer to restoring peace and stability across all regions.
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