*As Military kill 715 terrorists*IPOB/ESN a decimated Group -DHQ
Two soldiers have been indicated and are to face a Court Martial for the bombing in Tudun Biri community, Igabi Local Government of Kaduna state which killed many innocent civilians who were mistaken for terrorists during a military air raid.
The Defence Headquarters announced this on Thursday during a press briefing on military operations against terrorists and insurgents.
The briefing was conducted by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO).
Though he did not give details of the officers to be tried by the military court, he however said investigations have been concluded on the mistaken bombing and that the two soldiers were indicted.
The bombing attracted widespread condemnation for which the military high command has apologized for the fatal error.
General Buba who repeated the regrets of the DHQs assured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would do everything possible to avoid a repeat of such mistake.
Said General Buba: “The outcome of investigations into the Tudun Biri incident that occurred in Kaduna State indicates that it was indeed a sad event that shouldn’t have occurred.
“The military has conducted a painstaking investigation into the incident and has initiated disciplinary action against those culpable.
“Accordingly, the affected 2 personnel are to face a court martial for acts of omission or commission with respect to the incident. It therefore would be adjudged as prejudicial to speak further on the case, since it is before a court.
“Nevertheless, it must be made clear that the incident was a mistake. The victims of the strike were mistaken for terrorist. However, on this note, on behalf of the CDS, officers and personnel of the AFN.
“Our condolences goes out to the families and loved ones of all those killed by the sad air strike.
“It is hoped that there would be no repeat of strikes on non combatants in ongoing operations. The military will take extra precautions in the future to ensure that non combatants are safe.
Meanwhile, the DDMO at the briefing also disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) operatives killed 715 terrorists in April, 2024 but lamented that illegal mining and foreign interests were sustaining banditry and terrorism in the country especially in the North West of Nigeria.
Also, military operations against terrorists in the same April led to the arrest of 146 insurgents by soldiers while 465 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period under review according to Buba.
General Buba also said that crude oil worth over N2.6 billion was saved from oil thieves during the period under review.
According to him, “the synchronised strikes between the ground and air forces during the period under review resulted in over 715 terrorist neutralized.
“During the process troops arrested 146 persons and rescued 465 kidnapped hostages. Furthermore, troops recovered 937 assorted weapons, 23,034 assorted ammunitions and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #2 bn (N2,572,397,190.00) only.
“Breakdown for the month of February includes and is not limited to the following: 495 AK47 rifles, 190 locally fabricated guns, 43 pump action guns, 151 dane guns, 11,549 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6,722 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 511 rounds of 9mm and 941 live cartridges.
“Others are 2,563,335 litres of stolen crude oil, 254,620 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,050 litres of DPK and 8,000 litres of PMS amongst other item.
“Overall, the armed forces is building and maintaining the momentum against the terrorist and their cohorts across the country. Troops are conscious and are not loosing sight of importance of momentum, when it comes to fighting such vicious adversaries.
Giving details, the Military Spokesman said: “The terrorist leaders enclaves engaged include that of terrorist Nasanda and his loyalist in Zurmi LGA of Katsina State. Also, on 13 April 2024, 3 Senior terrorist commanders (Ali Dawud, Bakura Fallujah and Mallam Ari) were neutralized at Kolleram Village along Lake Chad.
“Additionally, on 15 April 2024, the enclave of terrorist commander Babaru in Kankara LGA of Katsina State was destroyed. Similarly, on 19 Apr 24, the terrorist hideout belonging to a senior terrorist commander Kamilu Buzaru’s in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was decimated.
“Then, On 20 April 2024, the gathering of senior terrorist commander Ado Ailero and Kamilu Buzaru’s in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State was disrupted by air strikes. Several terrorist combatants and the Commanders were neutralized in the air strikes.
“Other terrorist Commanders engaged by air strikes include that of Mallam Yadee at Mariga LGA of Niger State. Then, the Enclave of Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur in Zurmi and Gusau LGAs of Zamfara State.
“Thereafter, is the Enclave of Mallam Umar and several other commanders located in the Alawa Forest area of Niger State. Furthermore is Bello Turji’s Camp in Kagara Forest located between Shinkafi in Zamfara and Isa LGA in Sokoto.
“All the surviving terrorist Commanders and leaders are walking corpses as we would get them, sooner than later”, Buba assured.
The DDMO went further to state that “The current situation depict a a strain of tactical achievements in degrading the terrorist by dismantling most of the terrorist infrastructure in the NE, killing majority of the combatants, killing a lot of their senior combatants. It must be noted that, many of the terrorist commanders as well have been taken off the battlefield.
“Ongoing operations have suppressed the terrorist and prevented them from achieving their strategic objectives. Troops have equally denied the terrorist freedom of action and disrupted their actives, thereby reducing their effectiveness.
“Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to rid the environment of terrorist and the military is not resting on its oars”, Buba said.
The spokesman also lamented that illegal mining being conducted by locals and their foreign collaborators was providing resources for and sustaining insurgency in the north west zone of Nigeria.
This, General Buba said has been reechoed by opinion leaders from parts of the zone.
On recent order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) for a sit-at-home in the South East on Monday, General Buba described it as an empty threat from a decimated group.
