Nigerian Army troops eliminate notorious terrorist kingpin, Mai Hijabi and 164 others

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said that troops have eliminated a notorious terrorist kingpin in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi. 

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, who disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on the activities of the armed forces, said troops also eliminated 164 other terrorists, apprehended 238 others and rescued 188 kidnapped victims in different operations across the country. 

“Our operations have destroyed a substantial part of the combat capacity of these terror groups and their leadership. For instance, one of the notorious terrorist commanders in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi, was eliminated from the battlefield during the week. Troops are, therefore, increasingly making significant strides across all theatres of operations,” he stated.

“During the week under review, troops neutralised 165, arrested 238 persons, and rescued 188 kidnapped victims.”

Buba added that troops also arrested 35 suspected oil thieves in the SS, and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N688,125,150.00.

“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 2 dugout pits, 58 boats and 39 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 13 cooking ovens, 35 drums, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 4-speed boats, 13 vehicles, and 65 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO,“ he added.

Buba said that the military recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition comprising 81 AK47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, 27 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, five locally made pistols, three revolver pistols, 30 AK47 magazines, and one bayonet.

Others are 1,561 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 278 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 70 rounds of 50mm ammo, 72 rounds of 9mm ammo, 87 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 19 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 45 mobile phones and the sum of N64,100.00 only amongst other items.

 In the North East, Buba said that the troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 83 terrorists, apprehended 56 and rescued 50 kidnapped hostages with the recovery of a cache of arms. 

He said that a total of 74 terrorists comprising 22 adult males, 28 adult females and 24 children surrendered to troops between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8 within the theatre of operations. 

In the North Central, he said the troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke neutralised 19 violent extremists, arrested 56 violent extremists and rescued 69 kidnapped hostages.

In the North West, Buba said the troops of Operations Hadarin Daji and Whirl Punch executed successful operations across the theatre neutralising 47 terrorists, apprehending 67 and rescuing 47 kidnapped hostages.

He said the air component of the operations conducted air interdiction operations to the enclave of terrorist commander, Ado Aleiro in the Tsafe area of Zamfara killing several terrorists hibernating at the location.

According to him, similar air interdictions were conducted, on Oct. 4, on terrorist hideouts around Bayan Ruwa in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara.

“The location was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, their structures as well as logistics destroyed.,"" he said. 

“Our role in the ongoing war is clear and we are winning the war. The military is not oblivious to some security challenges faced by citizens in certain quarters and is reassessing operations in those areas to better secure and protect citizens.

"The armed forces seize this opportunity to caution persons or groups, from making threats or inflammatory comments on untoward activities against troops' presence or deployment as a result of ongoing operations. 

“The outcome of such an act is better imagined than experienced.

“Troops recognise the urgency to ensure peace and security for all citizens across the country.

“Accordingly, working on new strategies to better protect the nation and citizens,” he added.