BREAKING: Nigerian Military Arrests Eight Terrorists In Abuja, Eliminates Top Commanders, 57 Others

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja, has said eight terrorists were arrested in the Dei-dei Abattoir, a suburb in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Dukpa village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Musa Danmadami, the terrorists were arrested during a raid on their hideouts by troops of the Guards Brigade.

“In a related development, on 13 August 2022 troops of Guards Brigade raided some suspected terrorist hideout at Deidei Abattoir in Abuja Municipal Area Council and Dupka village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

“During the raid operation 8 suspected terrorist were arrested, 5 AK47 rifles and 3 pump action gun were recovered, while large quantities of items suspected to be cannabis sativa, 3 machetes, knives among other items were also recovered.”

There have been speculations about the existence of Boko Haram and Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) camps in the FCT.

Some soldiers were recently killed in an ambush by the terrorists in Bwari. Gunmen had in the past months stormed some houses within the FCT, abducting residents.
The military spokesperson added that troops of the Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) eliminated more than 57 terrorists in different operations conducted from August 11 to  25 in the North East.

Danmadami said the operations were conducted through land and air raids on the Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclaves in Borno and Yobe.

He said the operation also led to the killing of unspecified number of terrorists in a number of airstrikes, with more than 18 of them seriously wounded.

The Major General added that eight suspected terrorists and four terrorists’ logistic suppliers were apprehended as well as rescue of four civilian victims during the period.

According to him, a total of 1,652 BHT members and their families comprising of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children surrendered to troops at different location within the period.

“Troops in the North East theatre of operation conducted several operations in Gwashiri, Pulka-Kirawa axis, Amanwa village, Tungushe,, Bama town, Mulgwai village, Kwatara, Gubio, Kekeno, Dogon Chuku, Miringa Market and Monguno town all in Borno State as well as, Buni Yadi – Jauro Bashin in Yobe State. During the operations, troops neutralized 12 terrorists, recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 1 RGP, 2 FN rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 bicycles, 1 golf car, large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, bags of maize, 3 grenade, 4 mobile phones, 47 rustled cattle, 6 donkeys, 20 cartons of super cereal, 51 Jerricans of groundnut oil, 2 cartons of cigarettes, medical suppliers, food stuffs and 40 pairs of male and female clothing.

“Troops also arrested 8 suspected terrorists, 4 logistic suppliers, rescued 4 civilians and the sum of N1,005,360.00 cash. Also as troops of Operation HADIN KAI continue to consolidates on their success against the terrorists more of them surrendered to own troops within the period under review, a total of 1,652 BHT members and their families have surrendered to own troops at different location. The number comprises of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children.

“In a related development, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI on 20August 2022 carried out strikes on terrorists’ enclaves in Sambisa forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State with various degree of success recorded. Acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top ranking commander, believed to be the Islamic State of West Africa Province leader of Sambisa forest who took over the leadership after the demise of Abubakar Shekau. Consequently, the air strikes were carried out on the enclave. Feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded. Among those neutralize was a high profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure.

“A similar air strike was also conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists. Report gathered revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes. All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authorities while the surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist members and their families were profiled for further action.

“Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH have sustained the momentum to deny terrorists freedom of action in their Joint Operation Area. Consequently, between 13 – 18 August 2022 the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air interdiction operations at a terrorists enclaved in Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The air strike was on the terrorists who had assembled for a meeting hosted by a notorious terrorist leader Aminu Duniya, Report revealed that the air strikes resulted in the neutralization of several of the terrorists.”