By Gom Mirian, Abuja

No fewer than 1,000 Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs), some senior Commanders and their families comprising adults and children have surrendered to the Nigerian troops, while 27 were killed following sustained military air and land bombardment of their enclaves at separate locations in the North East

Acting Director, Directorate of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, who disclosed this at the bi-weekly briefing on the Armed Forces of Nigeria operational activities in Abuja yesterday, said notable among the terrorists who laid down their arms were the notorious BHT bomb expert named, Musa Adamu popularly known as Mala Musa Abuja and his deputy, Usman Adamu aka Abu Darda.

Onyeuko said several arms and ammunitions were recovered from the terrorists among other items and 29 abducted civilians rescued within the period under review.

“Following the intensity of these operations coupled with non-kinetic efforts by our own troops, which yielded tremendous results as evidenced in the number of casualties and massive surrender of terrorists in Buni Yari, Gorgore, Baga and Monguno towns as well as Maiduguri – Baga Road, Maiduguri – Damboa Road and Bula Yobe-Darel Jamel Road, operations were also carried out at Kayamri and Mairari villages as well as Monguno and Kukawa towns, all in Borno state.

“On July 31, there were distress calls from locals, on cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed bandits attacks on farmers at Bagida village in Sokoto state; Shinkafi in Zamfara state and Maigora, Falale and Ungwan Dudu villages as well as Kankara – Katsina Road in Katsina state.

“In all, troops repelled the criminals, rescued farmers and kidnapped victims as well as recovered arms, ammunitions and some livestock, while some criminal elements were arrested.

“Cumulatively, a total of 89 livestock, five AK-47 rifles, three rounds of 9mm ball and 48 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition were recovered and 4 kidnap victims rescued.

“Also, two notorious cattle rustlers named, Mallam Buda Umar from Niger Republic and Mai Hatsi Ibrahim from Gada LGA of Sokoto state as well as four armed bandits and drug peddlers were arrested.

“Furthermore, between 2 and 6 August 2021, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI, carried out intensive air strikes on bandits’ hideouts at the South of Dansadau Town; North of Kwiambana Forest Reserves as well as North of Sububu Forest and Dudufi village under Faru District in Maradun LGA, all in Zamfara State,” he said.

He said the air strikes resulted in the destruction of bandits’ structures including the residence of one of their leaders named Halilu Tubali, in which the armed bandits converged for a meeting.

He added that the air strikes in conjunction with ground troops’ assaults resulted in the neutralization of no fewer than 123 armed bandits and destruction of their logistics facilities in the process.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have and will continue to remain committed to fight all forms of criminality until sustainable peace is achieved in our dear Country.

“The Military High Command appreciates the enormous sacrifices of the troops in the various theatres of operations across the Country. It salutes their courage, service and commitment to the nation,” Onyeuko added.

NDLEA Intercepts G3 Rifle, 78 Rounds Ammunition

In a related development, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),Benue State Command, has arrested a man with a fabricated high calibre G3 rifle and 78 rounds of live ammunition.

NDLEA Chairman,  Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) who said this during a news conference yesterday in Abuja noted that the suspect would be handed over to appropriate authority for further investigation.

Marwa said that the checkpoint was created to stop and search vehicles for drugs, noting that NDLEA made the arrest when other criminal items, such as heavy weapons, as in this instance, were found.

Marwa said that the suspect was arrested on Aug. 4 in a bus from Onitsha to Jos where the vehicle was flagged down at Aliade checkpoint for search.

“In the process, an iron box completely welded was found in the vehicle, and when the passengers were questioned to know the owner, the suspect, Celestine Christian, accepted ownership.

“When the steel box was taken to the Benue State Command along with the suspect, an electric filing machine was used to cut it open.

“A fabricated high calibre G3 rifle was discovered with 78 rounds of live ammunition and five empty shells of same calibre were discovered” he said.

Marwa noted that people now manufacture weapons on their own, hereby selling to bandits, kidnappers and criminal gangs among others.

He said that it was important for this to be investigated by the appropriate agencies of government, assuring that due sanctions would follow as it might not be the only manufactured weapons.

While interrogating the suspect, Christian claimed he had talent in making local guns, adding that he was hoping to get a job in the military with it.

Christian said that he was aware it was a crime to manufacture weapon without permit in Nigeria and that he was looking forward to having one.

He said that he had met a soldier who told him to make a sample and told him he could get a government job with his talent.

According to him, “I do not have permit, but I was looking forward to getting one with my talent. They will not believe I can do this that is why I need to convince them with sample”.

 “However, I also asked that Christian be transferred to Abuja because of the calibre of weapon found with him, which he claims he manufactures.

“For us at NDLEA, we will continue to do our best with our highly dedicated officers and men to cut-off accessibility to illicit drugs by criminal gangs by blocking the trafficking of these psychoactive and psychotropic substances.

“In doing this, we will not shy away from complementing the efforts of other security agencies, especially our armed forces in our collective bid to restore security and maintain law and order in all parts of the country.

Similarly, Marwa said that three bandits armed with AK 47 rifles were also intercepted by officers on patrol in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina state.

He said that the suspects were from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state and were going to Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina state for a devilish assignment.

He noted that a car, three AK 47 rifles with magazines and ammunition, different types of charms, rings, cash and other items, were recovered from them.