Major Breakthrough in Counter-Terrorism Operations
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Friday the arrest of notorious gunrunner Timothy Yusuf and his son, Timothy Obadiah, during a targeted military operation aimed at disrupting illegal arms networks supplying terrorists and criminal groups.
In a statement issued by the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Buba Edward, the military highlighted the significant successes achieved in counter-terrorism efforts nationwide over the past week.
Key Arrests and Neutralizations
Maj. Gen. Edward revealed that the military neutralized Abu Mosaje, a terrorist commander and arms dealer, during an operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State. Additionally, Babangida Gora Usman, a wanted kidnap kingpin, was apprehended in Sanga Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The arrest of gunrunner Timothy Yusuf and his son is expected to disrupt the flow of illegal arms to violent groups in the region. “This operation further cripples the supply chain of illegal arms and weakens the capacity of criminal networks,” the statement noted.
Nationwide Counter-Terrorism Successes
The military reported remarkable achievements during the week, including:
- 79 terrorists neutralized.
- 224 suspects arrested, including informants and key criminal figures.
- 67 kidnapped hostages rescued.
- 28 perpetrators of oil theft arrested, with oil theft operations valued at over N747 million denied in the South-South region.
Disruption of Oil Theft Activities
In the South-South region, troops dismantled illegal oil theft networks, destroying:
- 215 crude oil cooking ovens.
- 26 dugout pits.
- 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums, and 42 illegal refining sites.
Recovered items included:
- 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil.
- 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO (diesel).
- 200 litres of DPK (kerosene).
South East Operations Target IPOB Members
In the South East, seven members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), were arrested. Among those detained were a notorious kidnapper and several informants operating in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States.
Significant Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
The military also seized a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, including:
- 104 assorted firearms:
- 53 AK47 rifles.
- 25 fabricated rifles.
- 1 FN rifle, 11 Dane guns, and 2 pump-action guns.
- 7 RPG bombs and 4 improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
- Over 1,900 rounds of ammunition:
- 1,186 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
- 417 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo.
- 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo.
- 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo.
- Other items included 3 bandoliers, 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones, and one Baofeng communication device.
Commitment to National Security
The DHQ emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians. Maj. Gen. Buba Edward stated, “The military will continue its intensified counter-terrorism operations to neutralize threats and restore peace to all regions of the country.”
The success of these operations underscores the effectiveness of ongoing military efforts to combat terrorism, disrupt criminal networks, and protect critical infrastructure. Further updates on these operations are expected as investigations and follow-ups continue.
