Defense Headquarters has revealed that four infamous terrorist leaders were killed in airstrikes this past week.They are Ali Alhaji Alheri, also known as Kachalla Ali Kawaje, Ali Alhaji Alheri, Dan Muhammadu, and Machika.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations.
Buba stated that Haro and Dan Muhammadu were experts in kidnapping and assault operations, respectively, while Machika was a top terrorist bomb expert and the younger brother of infamous terrorist Dogo Gide.
He claimed that on December 11, a coordinated attack by air and ground forces on the same target eliminated Kachalla Kawaje, a well-known terrorist mastermind in charge of kidnapping Federal University Gusau, Zamfara students.
He continued by saying that Kachalla and many of his foot soldiers were neutralized in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger.
He claims that others will face the same fate because the military is rapidly closing in on them.
According to Buba, air assets carried out combative airstrikes on verified sites where terrorist leaders and their foot soldiers were moving.
He continued by saying that 159 people were taken into custody and that more than 38 terrorist leaders and their foot troops were slain as a result of the strikes.
"Notable terrorist commanders are being pursued by the armed forces, who are engaging them wherever they may be hiding.
Until the terrorists are eliminated or give up, the military will keep up the pressure on them and their allies.
Buba reported that on Wednesday, the army, along with other security services, captured a well-known leader of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), an armed offshoot of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who are prohibited by law. The arrest took place in the South East.
According to him, Uchechukwu Akpa, the commander, and Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere, the other three sub-commanders, were all taken into custody.
He claimed that during a raid on their hiding place at Christ the King Catholic Church, Ameta Mgbowo, in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, the three individuals were taken into custody.
They got together to plan the assassination of the former Commander, known as "Chocho," and the assumption of leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command, Enugu State Chapter. They intended to assault troop positions as well.
"Mr. Akpa was shot during the raid while attempting to flee."
He was the legendary IPOB/ESN leader Chocho's second in command, who is presently detained.
Following the arrest, on December 14, forces carried out a second raid in connection with the arrest, during which they found one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, twenty-five rounds of special NATO 7.62mm ammunition, and one pump action rifle.
"The operations that took place during the week in question also led to the rescue of 89 kidnapped hostages and the arrest of 66 oil thieves," he stated.
Buba reported that during the week, the forces in the Niger Delta region demolished 64 illicit refining facilities, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, three pumping machines, and 15 dugout pits.
He said that the military had found 20,600 liters of PMS, 185,300 liters of illicitly processed AGO, and 357,350 liters of stolen crude oil.