The troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised some key wanted terrorists, including Nkwachi Eze, otherwise known as ‘Onowu’.
The Director of Defence Headquarters Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known while briefing newsmen on activities of the Nigerian Armed Forces in Abuja on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Kangye said Eze had been responsible for coordinating a series of attacks and kidnappings across the South-East and had been on the wanted list of the military.
He added that 430 perpetrators of oil theft, terrorists, and other criminal elements were also apprehended in April 2025.
The defence spokesman disclosed that the troops rescued 173 kidnapped hostages, adding that over 204 terrorists and members of their families surrendered to military personnel.
Kangye said: “We have also taken into custody one Buhari Umar, a wanted suspected gunrunner who also doubles as the leader of a kidnapping syndicate terrorising Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and Kaduna States.
“Furthermore, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke successfully arrested a five-man kidnapping syndicate in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“They include Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Idi Yusuf, Adamu Danmai, and Hassan Bello.
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“Additionally, troops recovered large quantity of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
“Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered.”
In the North East, Kangye said the troops of Operation Hadin Κai, between May 1 and May 4, apprehended 29 terrorists’ logistics suppliers in well-coordinated operations in Borno and Yobe States.
He said the suspects confessed during an investigation to have received money from terrorists to purchase items such as inverter batteries, battery acid, petrol, beverages, and foodstuffs for them.
The defence spokesperson said the troops recovered vehicles, motorcycles, and N739,000 from the suspects.
In the North West, Kangye disclosed that the troops of Operation Fasan Yamma neutralised some terrorists and rescued nine kidnapped victims during fighting patrols in Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara States.
In the North Central, he said the troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralised an extremist and arrested 17 suspected violent extremists in parts of Plateau and Kaduna States.
Kangye noted that the Nigerian Armed Forces is focused and committed to ensuring national security and welfare of its personnel as troops continue to put in efforts to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and protect citizens from all threats.
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