The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says investigations into
allegations of bandit sponsorship in the north-west of the country are ongoing.
Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence; and Dauda
Lawal, governor of Zamfara; have lobbed allegations of bandit sponsorship each
other’s way.
Matawalle challenged Lawal to swear by the Holy Qur’an that he
was not involved in sponsoring bandits.
Responding, Lawal pledged to reveal evidence against the
minister. He said he had reported the issue to Nuhu Ribadu, national security
adviser (NSA).
Edward Buba, director of defence media operations, spoke on
the military’s interest in the allegations during a press briefing on Thursday.
Buba noted that relevant agencies are thoroughly
investigating the matter.
He added that the military remains focused on defeating
banditry by breaking the resolve of the criminals.
“And when you talk
about what’s going on about the sponsors, I can assure you that the relevant
agencies that are saddled with that responsibility are doing a good job. And sooner
than later, you will hear some announcements in that regard,” he said.
“Winning a war is destroying the enemy’s will to fight. When
you destroy the enemy’s will to fight, the war is over, you have won the war.
And that’s why we are focused on destroying the enemy’s will to fight.”
ELIMINATING BANDIT
KINGPINS
Speaking about the military’s operations from July to
September, Buba noted that 1,937 terrorists had been killed, including 65 key
leaders.
“Troops’ offensive
actions culminated in the neutralisation of over 65 notable terrorist leaders,
commanders, and combatants across all theatres of operations. Significant
terrorist leaders were eliminated from the battlefield,” he said.
“The bandit leaders include Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan
Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Matawal Bitrus, Thomas Benedict, Mohammed
Sani, Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko, Jacob Uzege, Ibn Kasir, Kachalla Ɗan
Baleri, Kachallah Halilu Jimmare (Buzu), Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama,
Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya, and Ofem Igwe.”
Buba added that 2,782 suspected terrorists and other
criminals were arrested, and 1,854 kidnapped hostages were rescued in the third
quarter of 2024.
He said troops recovered 1,304 weapons and 43,347 rounds of
ammunition.
He also noted that within the same period, crude oil worth
N13 billion was recovered by the troops.
“Troops denied oil thieves of an estimated sum of over
N13,081,605,534, 12,143,870 litres of stolen crude oil, 2,623,216 litres of
illegally refined AGO, 6,970 litres of DPK, and 31,450 litres of PMS amongst
other items,” he said.
“Accordingly, the
nation’s daily crude oil production output is at an all-time high, with the
nation’s daily target in sight.”
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