The Defence Headquarters on Thursday confirmed that Uzaifa, a high profile commander of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), was among those killed on August 22, 2022 in an air raid on terrorists enclaves in Sambisa forest and the Tumbuns in Borno State.
“Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure was among 25 terrorists neutralized by the air component of Operation HADIN KAI .”
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami stated this during the bi-weekly press briefing for period August 11 to 25, 2022. He said the air raids were targeted on the enclave of notorious terrorists who were being hosted by a top ranking commander.
Air component of Operations HADIN KAI carried out the strikes “acting on credible intelligence about the gathering of terrorists at a location revealed to be the enclave of a notorious terrorist being hosted by a top ranking commander, believed to be the Islamic State of West Africa Province leader of Sambisa forest who took over the leadership after the demise of Abubakar Shekau,” he added.
He said that “feedback revealed that 25 of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes with 18 serious wounded. Among those neutralize was a high profile commander known as Uzaifa, who was the ‘MINZIR’, which connotes the fourth in line of the terrorist leadership structure. “
A similar air strikes was also conducted in the Tumbuns near Lake Chad at a location revealed to be the training camp of the terrorists. Report gathered revealed that scores of the terrorists were neutralized in the strikes. All recovered items and rescued civilians were handed over to the relevant authorities while the surrendered Boko Haram Terrorist members and their families were profiled for further action.
According to Major General Danmadami a total of 1,652 Boko Haram Terrorists members and their families have surrendered to own troops at different location during the period under review. The number comprises of 320 adult males, 442 women and 890 children.
Troops in the North East theatre of operation conducted several operations in Gwashiri, Pulka-Kirawa axis, Amanwa village, Tungushe,, Bama town, Mulgwai village, Kwatara, Gubio, Kekeno, Dogon Chuku, Miringa Market and Monguno town all in Borno State as well as, Buni Yadi – Jauro Bashin in Yobe State.
They neutralized 12 terrorists, recovered 18 AK47 rifles, 1 RGP, 2 FN rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special, 13 bicycles, 1 golf car, large quantity of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, bags of maize, 3 grenade, 4 mobile phones, 47 rustled cattle, 6 donkeys, 20 cartons of super cereal, 51 Jerricans of groundnut oil, 2 cartons of cigarettes, medical suppliers, food stuffs and 40 pairs of male and female clothing. Troops also arrested 8 suspected terrorists, 4 logistic suppliers, rescued 4 civilians and the sum of N1,005,360.00 cash.
Major General Danmadami said that between August 13 and 18 , 2022 the air component of Operation WHIRL PUNCH conducted air interdiction operations at a terrorists enclaved in Kurebe in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The air strike was on the terrorists who had assembled for a meeting hosted by a notorious terrorist leader Aminu Duniya and several of them were neutralized.
In a related development, on August 13, 2022 troops of Guards Brigade raided some suspected terrorist hideout at Deidei Abattoir in Abuja Municipal Area Council and Dupka village in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
During the raid operation 8 suspected terrorist were arrested, 5 AK47 rifles and 3 pump action gun were recovered, while large quantities of items suspected to be cannabis sativa, 3 machetes, knives among other items were recovered.