In a significant breakthrough, the Nigerian military has eliminated a notorious terrorist commander and gunrunner, Abu Mosaje, and 96 other terrorists during intensified counter-terrorism operations across the country in the past week.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed this in a statement released on Friday in Abuja by Major General Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations. The statement highlighted ongoing efforts by troops to dismantle terrorist networks, apprehend collaborators, and disrupt their support structures.
According to Buba, Abu Mosaje was neutralized in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. Additionally, troops apprehended Babangida Usman, a wanted kidnap kingpin who had been on the security watchlist, in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Furthermore, troops arrested another notorious gunrunner, Timothy Yusuf, and his son, Timothy Obadiah, during the operations,” Buba stated.
In the South-East, the military recorded further successes with the arrest of seven members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Among those detained were a notorious kidnapper and informants operating in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano Local Government Areas of Enugu and Imo States.
During the week under review, the military neutralized 79 terrorists, arrested 224 suspects, and rescued 67 kidnapped victims. The troops also apprehended 28 individuals involved in oil theft, effectively denying oil thieves an estimated N747 million in revenue.
According to the statement, the troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 42 illegal refining sites, 62 storage tanks, 29 boats, 20 drums, and other equipment used for illegal oil refining.
Recovered items included 842,685 liters of stolen crude oil, 12,340 liters of illegally refined diesel (AGO), 200 liters of kerosene (DPK), 104 assorted weapons, and 1,953 rounds of ammunition. The weapons seized comprised 53 AK-47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, one FN rifle, 11 dane guns, and other firearms, alongside four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and seven rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bombs.
Troops also seized 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, nine outboard engines, two speedboats, and various other operational tools used by the terrorists and criminals.
The DHQ assured citizens of the military’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and securing the country. “Troops remain steadfast in the destruction of terrorist networks across the country and are dedicated to creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens are guaranteed,” Buba affirmed.
The military called on citizens to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability nationwide.
