Nigerian Army troops have neutralized a notorious terrorist leader, Maikusa identified as the second-in-command to the terrorists’ group led by infamous Modi Modi in the hierarchy of the terrorists’ cell in Katsina state.
A statement by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu the Army spokesperson said troops gunned down Maikusa and three other terrorists in a shootout on Monday 4 March 2024, during a counter insurgency operation in Kurfi and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
“The ferocious operation also resulted in the successful clearance of terrorists’ enclaves in these areas.
He said that, “during the operation, troops encountered vehement resistance from the violent extremists, but gallantly overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower neutralizing some while others fled in disarray.”
“After the firefight, the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 65 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, a locally fabricated gun and camouflage uniform.”
Nwachukwu said that in continuation of the clearance operations, troops also destroyed terrorists’ camps in Wurma, Shaiskawa, Yauni, and Dogon Marke villages in Kurfi LGA, as well as Ummadau and Zakka villages in Safana LGA.
The troops have continued to maintain an aggressive posture in the general area to clear remnants of the terrorists cell to ensure safety and security in the region,he added.
In a related development Nigerian Army (NA) troops in conjunction with a team from the Nigerian Customs Service operating in the 81 Division NA Area of Responsibility intercepted two boats carrying items suspected to be drugs.
The Acting Deputy Director Public Relations 81 Division NA , Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni said “acting on actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a stealth operation at Ajido in Badagry, Lagos state and successfully uncovered 27 sacks containing the suspected drugs. Regrettably, the suspects managed to evade arrest by jumping into the river upon sighting the troops.”
In a separate operation, the troops intercepted smugglers carrying 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit at Fabre area in Badagry. The 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit have been handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service, Seme, while the sacks containing suspected drugs have been handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Seme Command.
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division Maj Gen MT Usman on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff has commended the troops for their professionalism.
He further appealed to all law-abiding citizens in Lagos and Ogun States to continue to support the troops and other security agencies with credible information to combat criminal activities that is threatening the peace enjoyed in Lagos and Ogun States.