Nigerian military neutralizes top terror commanders, Rescues 134 victims

The Nigerian military announced it had “recorded major breakthroughs in July, killing several high-profile terror commanders, rescuing 134 kidnap victims, and foiling oil theft worth N1.3 billion” across various theatres of operations.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made the disclosure during a press briefing in Abuja, stating that the successes underscore the military’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace nationwide.

According to Gen. Kangye, troops eliminated five notorious terror leaders— identified as Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar— during intensified offensives in the North East and North West.

In addition to these successes, he stated, “In total, 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements were arrested, while 134 kidnapped victims were rescued and reunited with their families,”.

Kangye also revealed that a wanted terrorists’ commander, Ibn Ali, along with 151 terrorists and their families, surrendered to troops during clearance operations in the North East.

The military also apprehended a number of high-profile terror suspects, including gunrunners, kidnappers, cultists, and extremist figures, listing names such as Yakubu Jubril, Abubakar Yahaya, Isiya Sani, Haruna Abdullahi, and others.

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On the economic front, Gen. Kangye said that troops under Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft and sabotage activities amounting to over N1.31 billion in the Niger Delta.

The operations resulted in the recovery of 974,976 litres of stolen crude oil, 269,257 litres of illegally refined diesel, 1,759 litres of dual-purpose kerosene (DPK), and 3,447 litres of petrol.

The military also “discovered and destroyed 126 cooking ovens, 107 dugout pits, 73 illegal refining sites, 39 boats, 83 storage tanks, 88 drums, and 35 vehicles used in crude oil theft”.   added that, “A total of 285 suspects were arrested, with large quantities of arms, ammunition, and explosives recovered,”.

Gen. Kangye concluded by reaffirming that “the armed forces, under the strategic guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, remained committed to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty in line with the rules of engagement and respect for human rights”.