The Defence Headquarters has said a notorious terrorist kingpin in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi has been killed in an operation conducted during the week.
This, the DHQ said, was part of its effort to destroy the fighting capacities of terror groups across the Northern parts of the country.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities of the troops during the week.
He noted that a total of 165 terrorists were killed and 238 suspects were arrested.
Buba said, “Our operations have destroyed a substantial part of the combat capacity of these terror groups and their leadership. For instance, one of the notorious terrorist commanders in Jigawa State known as Mai Hijabi, was eliminated from the battlefield during the week. Troops are, therefore, increasingly making significant strides across all theatres of operations.
“ During the week under review, troops neutralised 165, arrested 238 persons, and
rescued 188 kidnapped victims. “
Buba added that troops also arrested 35 suspected oil thieves in the SS, and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N688,125,150.00.
Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 2 dugout pits, 58 boats and 39 storage tanks. Other items recovered include 13 cooking ovens, 35 drums, one motorcycle, one tricycle, 4-speed boats, 13 vehicles, and 65 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 789,200 litres of stolen crude oil and 64,950 litres of illegally refined AGO,“ he added.
Buba noted that troops recovered 153 assorted weapons and 2,182 assorted ammunition.
The breakdown, according to him, is 81 AK47 rifles, 23 fabricated rifles, 27 Dane guns, 13 pump action guns, five locally made pistols, three revolver pistols, 30 AK47 magazines, and one bayonet.
Others he said are, “1,561 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 278 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 70 rounds of 50mm ammo, 72 rounds of 9mm ammo, 87 live cartridges, one baofeng radio, 19 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 45 mobile phones and the sum of N64,100.00 only amongst other items.”
(PUNCH)