Six top terrorist commanders surrender, 63 dead – DHQ

Defense HQ announced on Thursday, July 14 that six top terrorist commanders have surrendered to troops in the northeast.

The Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, made the announcement while briefing journalists on the activities of troops between June 30 and July 14.

Those who surrendered under the military high command include Mala Hassan, a governor; a three-star commander, Jafar Hamma; Musa Bashir, the chief of Anur; Ali Madagali, a Munzur; Buba Dahiru, a Munzur, and Abbali Nakib Policewoman.

Also, approximately 3,858 Boko Haram terrorists and their families are believed to have surrendered between July 1 and 14, 2022.

Onyeuko said: “On July 13, 2022, six top terrorist commanders surrendered to our forces in Gwoza. It is pertinent to note that since the surrender of terrorists to our forces, the high caliber of commanders who have surrendered at this time is unprecedented among them a Wali (governor) and Kaid (a three star commander).

“The surrendered are; Mallam Mala Hassan (Wali), Ali Madagali (Munzur), Musa Bashir (Chief Anur), Buba Dahiru (Munzur), Jafar Hamma (Kaid) and Abbali Nakib Polisawa.

Also, approximately 3,858 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered between July 1 and 14 2022, including 505 men, 1,042 women and 2,311 children.

“All of the reported Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families were profiled and documented.”

He also said troops killed more than 63 terrorists in separate operations during the reporting period.

Onyeuko said: “On July 11, 2022, the air component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted an air interdiction operation in Tumbum Jaki and Tumbum Murhu near Lake Chad in Borno State, after receiving an intelligence report on the insurgents’ activities in the general area.

“The successful airstrike neutralized several Boko Haram terrorists and destroyed their hideout. Accordingly, information from the local population shows that more than 21 terrorists were neutralized in the airstrike.

“That is why troops neutralized 42 terrorists between July 1 and 14, 2022, [and] arrested 10 suspected terrorists.

Onyeuko added that 17 AK47 rifles, one QTC rifle, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, five hand grenades, 120 rounds of 5.5mm, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 151 rounds of 7 .62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 12.7 108mm, two ammunition couplers, five dane guns, eight rounds of manufactured 7.62mm ammunition, one smoke grenade, two locally made explosives, 23 empty AK47 magazines and five FN magazines were recovered from the terrorists.

Onyeuko said troops on joint border patrol in the southwestern zone recovered 61 25-litre Premium Motor Spirit jerry cans and intercepted two vehicles loaded with 163 fifty kilograms of foreign rice along Ifo-Abeokuta in Ifo Local Government Area and Ijimu-Tata in Imeko Afon Ogun State Local Government.

He said all recovered items have been handed over to Nigerian Customs Service, Abeokuta.