The Nigerian military has been making significant strides in combating terrorism, with key terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers falling to the relentless efforts of the troops. In a recent briefing in Abuja, Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted the remarkable achievements of the military in neutralizing high-profile terrorist figures and disrupting their operations.
Uncommon Bravery and Determination
Throughout the first quarter of the year, from January to March, Nigerian troops engaged in a series of aggressive operations alongside hybrid forces and other security agencies across various theatres. The gallant soldiers displayed uncommon bravery, resilience, determination, and a strong will during encounters that included fighting patrols, raids, ambushes, clearance operations, and search-and-rescue missions.
Striking Key Commanders
Numerous notorious terrorist commanders like Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Abdullahi (aka Honour), Jagaban, Dan Danger, and others met their end at the hands of Nigerian forces. Abdullahi Ali was captured alive despite sustaining severe gunshot wounds. The elimination of these key figures created disruptions within Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) ranks, leading to power struggles and infighting among different factions.
Expert Insight: “Targeting top commanders is crucial in destabilizing terrorist organizations as it creates chaos within their leadership structure,” says a military strategist familiar with counter-terrorism operations.
As cracks emerged in the terrorists’ hierarchy due to internal power struggles and conflicts for supremacy among factions, confusion spread across their camps. Exploiting this vulnerability, Nigerian troops dealt decisive blows on multiple fronts against the insurgents. Subsequently forced to resort to attacking soft targets using Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and isolated ambushes.
Disruption Through Arrests
Apart from eliminating key leaders, Nigerian forces apprehended alleged gunrunners and terrorists’ logistics suppliers such as Alhaji Mansur Mohammed, Shehu Babangida, Sagi David Shuaibu Maji along with scores of terrorists during sustained operations. The recovery of substantial amounts of assorted arms ranging from machine guns to locally fabricated weapons disrupted further militant activities.
Thwarting Oil Theft
In addition to counter-terrorism efforts on land-based operations through Operation Delta Safe foiled oil theft worth over N7.4 billion by intercepting 6.2 million liters of stolen crude oil along with other illegal petroleum products like AGO (Automotive Gas Oil), DPK (Dual Purpose Kerosene), PMS (Premium Motor Spirit). Troops also dismantled numerous illegal refining sites along with essential equipment used for these illicit activities such as drilling machines and pumping machines.
Through rigorous interventions involving targeted strikes on militant strongholds coupled with intelligence-driven maneuvers employing a mix of ground offensives and covert operations have significantly degraded terrorist capabilities across Nigeria’s volatile regions.
