Troops Kill IPOB/ESN Leaders, Bandit Kingpin; Arrest Notorious Terrorist Commander

In a series of military operations across Nigeria, troops have killed five leaders of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in the South East region over the past week. This was disclosed by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in a statement released on Friday by Major-General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations.

The military also reported the neutralization of Kachalla Boka, a notorious terrorist leader in the North West, and the arrest of Usman Maisaje, a notorious terrorist commander, in the North Central region.

According to Maj-Gen Buba, the nationwide operations have resulted in significant successes, including the elimination of 91 terrorists, the arrest of 226 criminals, and the rescue of 157 kidnapped victims.

In addition to these efforts, troops operating in the Niger Delta region dismantled 60 illegal refining sites, recovering over 700,000 liters of stolen crude oil, and arresting 45 individuals involved in oil theft. The troops also destroyed four dugout pits, 48 boats, 52 drums, 38 storage tanks, and 55 cooking ovens used in illegal refining activities.

“Furthermore, troops recovered 71 assorted weapons and over 1,400 rounds of ammunition,” Buba said. The breakdown of recovered arms included 50 AK-47 rifles, 16 fabricated rifles, and various other firearms and ammunition, alongside motorcycles, mobile phones, and a sum of over N4 million.

Buba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to degrading the operational capabilities of terrorists and other criminal elements. “We will continue to intensify our efforts to destroy terrorist infrastructure and eliminate their influence,” he emphasized.