Bandit kingpins, Yellow, Ardo Idi surrender as troops kill 135 terrorists

The Nigerian military has successfully neutralized 135 terrorists, apprehended 185 suspects, and rescued 129 hostages in a series of operations conducted across the country over the past week.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed these achievements during the Defence Headquarters’ weekly briefing in Abuja on Saturday.

According to Buba, ongoing military offensives in the North Central region have prompted several terrorists and bandit kingpins to surrender.

“These surrenders are occasioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops’ onslaught against them,” he explained.

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Buba noted that a collaborative non-kinetic approach involving key stakeholders has been instrumental in encouraging these surrenders.

“Accordingly, several terrorist leaders, commanders, and combatants have so far surrendered, with more indicating interest to surrender.

“Notable terrorists who have surrendered include Yellow Jambros, Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e, and Babangida, among others.

“Nevertheless, troops will sustain their operational tempo to destroy or prompt further surrenders by terrorists,” Buba said.

During the week under review, he added, troops also apprehended 61 individuals involved in oil theft, seized 113 weapons, and recovered 2,415 rounds of ammunition.

The recovered items included 72 AK-47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, eight pump-action guns, and a range of other firearms and ammunition. Troops also confiscated 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, 28 mobile phones, and other equipment.

In the Niger Delta, troops destroyed 93 illegal crude oil refining ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks, and 82 unlawful refining sites. They also recovered over 909,000 liters of stolen crude oil and significant amounts of illegally refined diesel and petrol.

“We remain in a winning position in the war,” Buba emphasized, pledging that the military would continue finding innovative solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.