Says terrorist Commander, Ibin Kathir, surrenders

*Also 51,114 Boko Haram terrorist and families apprehended 

By Myke Uzendu and Chuks Oyema-Aziken

The Nigerian Military has announced the surrender of a high-profile terrorist, “Commander” Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir), in Bama, Borno State.

Also, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, have been arrested, while 30 civilians were rescued from the terrorists enclave.

According to Brig-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations, “the support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre such as: Ukuba/Camp Zairo, Sabil Huda, Ba Masaa, Wulgo, Marta,fulatari village, Uraha Crossing Point, Mbalala, Gamboru town all in Borno State. 
“Notably among the exploits of own troops was the capture of the terrorist’s stronghold by Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa Forest where some artillery guns, Armored Personnel Carrier, trailers, and large cache of arms and ammunition were captured. 
“Also, own troops destroyed terrorist enclaves, captured some terrorists, destroyed terrorists improvised explosive making factory. 
“Furthermore, troops also rescued kidnapped civilians and arrested terrorist’s spies and their logistics suppliers. 
“The Air Component between 28–31 March, 2022, after several days of surveillance of terrorists activities at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram, conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depot”.

He however said that the last few days was characterized by some operational setbacks orchestrated by terrorists and criminals in North Central. 

“This however, has not dimmed the light on the huge gains and success achieved by own troops in other theatres of operation especially in the North-East, North-West and South-South. 

“Be that is it may, own troops would not relent on the arduous task of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians. 

“Consequently, this brief will highlight the operational activities in the various theatre of operations between 25 March–7 April, 2022”.

He gave further details as follows: OPERATION HADIN KAI

Cumulatively, in the last 2 weeks troops recovered 1 Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1 MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorists flags, 1 tricycle and 1 active drone. Also, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers, rescued 30 civilians, of significant is the surrendered of a high-profile terrorist, Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to own troops in Bama. 

He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba. While a total of 51,114 Boko Haram Terrorist and families surrendered to troops comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children as at 5 April 2022. Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

OPERATION THUNDER STRIKE

Within the period under review, the troops recorded some modest success as the air component on 30 March 2022 conducted air strikes upon receiving credible intelligence report about the movements of some terrorists on motorbikes towards Akilibu – Sarkin Pawa road at Mangoro village, between Kaduna and Niger State. 

The air component intercepted and neutralized scores of the terrorists. Accordingly, 34 terrorists were neutralized while 14 locally fabricated guns and 17 motorcycles were recovered. 

All recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. Also, on 31 March 2022 a large concentration of terrorist were sighted around Kusasu after deliberate air surveillance and air interdiction was carried no fewer than 33 terrorists were neutralized according to eyewitness account.

NIGERIAN NAVY’S MILESTONE ON SURVEY AND CHARTING OF NIGERIA’S OFFSHORE WATRES

On 23 March 2022 the Nigerian Navy recorded a milestone in indigenous systematic survey and charting of our offshore waters. 

The commencement of the indigenous survey and is necessary to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification initiative through maritime security, maritime trade and transport. 

The indigenous surveying and charting will also lead to safety on our waters and boost confidence of mariners. With this achievement Nigeria has joined the elite group of chart producing nations in the world. Hitherto Nigeria sourced its charts from Europe. 

Prior to this time all the navigational survey and charts was surveyed and charted by the United Kingdom Hydrographic office. Some of them were conducted as back as 1938. 

Furthermore, Nigerian Navy took delivery of a new Ship NNS KADA. The change of flag was carried out in UAE by the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Naval Staff. The Ship is billed to stop over in 5 ports in different for flag show before it berths in Nigeria. With the acquisition of this Landing Ship Tank (LST) it will give more impetus for aggressive combat patrol, policing and other duties in our coastal waters by the Nigerian Navy.

OPERATION HADARIN DAJI

Troops in OPERATION HARADIN DAJI theatre of Operation continued to intensified offensives against bandits and other criminal elements in their operational activities in location such as; Maigama, Dan Kampani, Makarari, Kirsa, Sunke, Kadabdaba, Walo, Tungar Dutse, Babban Baye and Tungar Kware villages in Anka Local Government Area, Gezanyari village in Boko district in Zumu Local Government Area of Zamfara State and Kaburu forest, lamba village in Tureta Local Government Area of Sokoto State respectively. 

Consequently, troops within the weeks under review neutralized 10 bandits, rescued 5 civilians, arrested 7 bandits and recovered 3 AK 47 rifles, 7 magazines, 5 MC and 8 dane guns. 

All rescued civilians, apprehended bandits and items recovered have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

OPERATION WHIRL STROKE

 Own troops in OPERATION WHIRL STROKE continued sustained offensive attacks on bandits and other criminal to checkmate their unlawful activities with operational patrols and clearance operations in various locations such as; Tekpese village in Ugbama Council Ward, Tyoga village in Uam Council Ward in Ukum Local Government Area, Enger, Tse Adudu, Tse Lagu, Akapata in Gbaage Tongov, Ty oughatee Ijaha, Mbapa Council Ward of Gwer West Local Government Area, Maidadura, Chembe village, Mbarav, Amoh, Kendev villages in Mbakor Council Ward in Kwande Local Government Area, Torkpande in Mbadwen Council Ward of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. 

Other locations include Apura village and Umaisha in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Subsequently, troops within the week under review recovered 3 dane gun, 10 cell phones, 2 locally made pistols, 2 smoke grenades, 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunitions, 5 motorcycles, 1 AK 47 magazine and 5 cutlasses.

 Troops also neutralized 3 bandits and apprehended 9 bandits. All recovered items as well as the apprehended bandits were handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.