The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday disclosed the names of terrorist kingpins who were neutralised during various operations in the northern part of Nigeria.
News About Nigeria gathered that these operations were conducted between January and March 2024.
According to the DHQ, the terrorist commanders were eliminated in separate military operations.
The names of the terrorist kingpins include Abu Bilal Minuki, also known as Abubakar Mainok, who served as the Head of Is-Al Furqan Province (ISGS and ISWAP).
Another notable figure mentioned is Haruna Isiya Boderi, a notorious terrorist known for operating along the Birnin Gwari Forest in Kaduna State and the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
Boderi was killed by troops on February 21, 2024.
Additionally, the DHQ revealed that Kachallah Damina was neutralised on March 24, along with over 50 combatants.
Other terrorist leaders neutralised during the period include Kachallah Alhaji Dayi, Kachallah Idi (Namaidaro), Kachallah Kabiru (Doka), Kachallah Azarailu (Farin-Ruwa), Kachallah Balejo, Ubangida, and Alhaji Baldu, among others.
During a briefing in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed the names of the terrorist kingpins to journalists.
Maj. Gen. Buba also provided statistics on the overall success of military operations during the period under review.
He announced that a total of 2,351 terrorists were eliminated, while 2,308 others were arrested by security forces.
Furthermore, 1,241 kidnapped hostages were successfully rescued.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Nigerian Army alleged that monarchs in Okuama and other neighbouring communities in Delta State played a role in the murder of the 17 soldiers in the state.
In an interview on Arise News, the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, noted that the monarchs cannot feign innocence in the matter as the soldiers were gruesomely murdered and their body parts removed.
News About Nigeria had reported that suspected residents of the Okuama Community in Delta State ambushed and murdered the Commanding Officer of the 181st Army Amphibious Battalion, two majors, one captain, and 13 soldiers on March 14.
The troops were reportedly killed while responding to a distress call arising from a clash between the Okuama and Okoloba communities in the state.
