Top Terrorists Commander, Machika, Bomb Expert Neutralized in NorthEast- DHQ

By Josephine Gideon, Abuja

The Military says its troops during an aggressive air strikes has neutralized several top terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers. 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations DHQ, Major General, Edward Buba in Abuja.

He noted that, younger brother of a notorious terrorist (Dogo Gide). Others prominent terrorist leaders were also neutralised including Haro and Dan Muhammadu both of whom are specialist in kidnapping  and assault operations respectively.

He also said, through  synchronised strike between air and ground forces aimed at the same target, a renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji ALHERI popularly called Kachalla Ali KAWAJE was neutralize in Munya LGA of Niger state along with many of his foot soldiers.

Maj Gen. Buba also disclosed that, in the South East on 13 Dec 2023 troops in conjunction with other security agencies  apprehended a prominent commander of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and it’s armed affiliate the Eastern Security Network (ESN). 

The commander, one Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was arrested together with three other sub- commanders,  namely Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere.

The trio according to the statement, were arrested after a raid on their hideout at Christ the King Catholic Church Ameta Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. 

He disclosed that, the terrorists gathered to plot a take over the leadership of IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter from the apprehended former Commander known as "Chocho". also plotting to attack troop locations.  

"During the raid, Mr Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while trying to escape. It could be recalled that Mr Uchechukwu Akpa was the Second in Command to Chocho a notorious IPOB/ESN leader currently in custody. Subsequently, another raid connected with the arrest was conducted on 14 Dec 23. Troops recovered one AK 47 Rifle, Two AK 47 Magazine, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO special ammunition and one Pump action rifle.

"The operations of the week in focus, equally resulted in the arrest of 66 perpetrators of oil theft and the rescued of 89 kidnapped hostages. 

"In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of  One Hundred and Sixty One Million Two Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira (N161,232,500.00) only.

"Furthermore, troops recovered 67 assorted weapons and 1,194 assorted ammunition. The breakdown are as follows: 20 AK47 rifles, 4 pump action guns, 5 locally fabricated rifles, 2 locally fabricated double barrel guns, one barreta pistol, 4 locally made pistols, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 1,152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 13 rounds of 9mm ammo, one round of 5.56mm ammo, 15 live cartridges.

"Others are: one magazine loaded with 8 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one LMG magazine, one CZ pistol magazine, 7 empty magazines, one locally made pistol magazine, one damaged magazine, one dane gun butt, 5 vehicles, 14 mobile phones, 32 motorcycles, one laptop and the sum of N1,123,800.00 amongst other items.

" Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 15 dugout pits, 25 boats, 74 storage tanks, 14 vehicles, 115 cooking ovens, 13 reservoirs, 10 cooling systems, 10 receivers, 3 pumping machines, 64 illegal refining sites.  Troops recovered 357,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 185,300 litres of illegally refined AGO and 20,600 litres of PMS.

"The armed forces is winning the war, and  have the upper hand. Ongoing operations would only be completed, once the terrorist surrender or are totally defeated". He said