In what security sources have described as one of the most decisive blows against insurgency in recent months, a notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Maidawa, and 35 of his fighters have been neutralised in a series of coordinated joint operations across the country.
The operations, which ran between September 29 and October 4, were executed by a coalition of forces comprising the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), Police, and Hybrid Forces.
Confirming the breakthrough, a senior military officer disclosed that Maidawa, who had for years unleashed terror on communities in Kogi East and parts of Kwara State, met his end during a fierce gun battle in Isanlu, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“During the firefight, troops overpowered the extremists, neutralizing over twelve terrorists, including the dreaded Kachalla Maidawa,” the source said.
“Weapons recovered include an AK-47 rifle, 400 rounds of ammunition, four motorcycles, Dane guns, a fragmentation jacket, mobile phones and other sundry items.”
Beyond Kogi, multiple theatres of operation recorded major successes. Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade and Operation UDO KA stormed IPOB/ESN hideouts in Abia and Imo States, arresting several suspects, including those linked to the killing of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo.
In the North West, 1 Brigade troops in Kebbi State ambushed terrorists along the Salka-Kinke-Makurdi road in Ngaski Local Government Area, killing two and rescuing eight kidnap victims. Items recovered included seven AK-47 magazines and 180 rounds of live ammunition.
Similarly, in Kaduna, 11 Field Engineer Regiment and CSI Battalion intercepted a ₦3 million ransom delivery involving brand-new motorcycles meant for bandits in Giwa and Birnin Gwari LGAs.
Five kidnap victims were rescued, while two suspected kidnappers were arrested with ₦1.3 million at Damakasuwa checkpoint in Zangon Kataf LGA.
In Borno State, troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion killed five ISWAP/JAS terrorists during an ambush in Bama LGA. Additional raids along the Gamboru–Wulgo road led to the arrest of ISWAP logistics and drug suppliers, as well as a terrorist “tax collector” in Monguno.
In the South South, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered and destroyed multiple illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States. Over 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil were recovered, while 14 drug peddlers were arrested in joint raids with the NDLEA.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized an armed suspect in Benue State and rescued six kidnapped victims in Taraba. Further arrests of arms suppliers and collaborators were recorded in Sokoto and Kano States, signaling what security analysts say is a renewed momentum in the military’s campaign against insecurity.
A defence analyst told PLATFORM TIMES that the simultaneous operations across North Central, North West, North East, South East, and South South demonstrate an increasing synergy among Nigeria’s security agencies.
“The elimination of Maidawa and the arrests across multiple regions show that security forces are sharing intelligence and applying pressure on terror networks from different angles,” the analyst said.
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