DHQ: There will be noticeable improvements in anti-terror war soon
By Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja • Troops foil attacks, rescue 150 in Northeast • 100 terrorists, notorious ISWAP commander killed, 1,359 held in Q1 The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said
By Musa Umar Bologi, Abuja
• Troops foil attacks, rescue 150 in Northeast
• 100 terrorists, notorious ISWAP commander killed, 1,359 held in Q1
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations will record significant improvements in the coming weeks and months.
The DHQ hinged its optimism on the strengthened collaboration between Nigeria’s Armed Forces and the United States military.
Its Director of Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, stated this while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.
The military high command’s spokesman explained that the partnership involves intelligence sharing and operational training to enhance troops’ capacity to tackle emerging threats.
He said the support would soon translate into tangible results, despite recent attacks on soft targets that have raised concerns about security.
For tight security during the Easter period, Onoja said troops have been placed on alert nationwide.
“We know that festive seasons usually come with heightened security risks. The military command has issued directives to ensure personnel remain on alert. This period will not be different,” he said.
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Onoja announced that troops killed over 100 terrorists, including a notorious Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commander, and arrested 1,359 suspects in the first quarter of the year.
The DHQ spokesman said sustained offensives targeted remnants of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) across Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, and Yobe states, with ground forces supported by air components carrying out precision strikes on insurgents’ enclaves in remote and border areas.
“During the first quarter, troops neutralised several terrorist leaders and scores of fighters, arrested suspects and rescued kidnapped victims,” he said.
The spokesman said 19 insurgents and their families surrendered within the period, bringing the total number of surrendered persons to over 122,800.
Onoja confirmed that ISWAP acknowledged the death of one of its senior commanders, Abu Ya’yar al-Muhajir, describing it as a major setback for the group.
He said other commanders, including Saddam, Sandy, Gary, Kagu, and Baha’i Pembe, were also killed in a precision strike on Sambisa Forest last month.
Troops, the DHQ said, also repelled coordinated ISWAP attacks in Gajiram, Baga, Marte, and Monguno, and disrupted a drone attack at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area, where 74 terrorists were killed and weapons recovered.
“On March 11, over 20 terrorists, including a high-value target, Abu Yusuf, were neutralised during a night attack in Yobe. Fourteen insurgents also surrendered within the period,” he added.
Onoja said troops also intercepted fuel supplies meant for insurgents and arrested collaborators aiding terrorist logistics.
Also, troops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued more than 150 kidnapped civilians along the Buratai–Kamuya axis in Borno State on Monday.
Spokesperson for Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said troops of Sector 2, deployed at Dutse Kura, engaged terrorists in 17 vehicles attempting to abduct the victims, including women and children, after surveillance assets detected their movement.
“The Quick Response Force reinforced the location, repelled the attack and pursued the terrorists towards Mangari, forcing them to abandon the abducted civilians and vehicles,” he said.
Uba said the rescued victims were moved to Buratai for onward reunification with their families.
He also said five soldiers sustained serious injuries after encountering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Bula Zarma–Mangari axis during the pursuit.
They were evacuated for specialist medical care.
The spokesman said the operation demonstrated the vigilance and rapid response capability of troops and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting civilians and sustaining pressure on terrorist groups.
