The troops of the Nigerian Army have neutralised a notorious Boko Haram commander, Abu Rijab, and other terrorists in an offensive operation in Bula Daloye, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The army disclosed this via a statement on Sunday, August 18, 2024.

The army said the successful operation on Saturday, August 17, was in addition to the surrender of numerous terrorists and their families to the troops as a result of sustained pressure against their enclaves.

It disclosed that the troops also apprehended many criminal suspects and recovered arms and ammunition.

It said: “Following an intense firefight, the troops overpowered the terrorists, neutralising three, including a wanted Boko Haram commander Abu Rijab.

“The operation led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and mobile phones.

“Additionally, eight terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in Gwoza Local Government Area.

NAF destroys bomb factory in Borno

“The same troops also apprehended two suspects in Konduga Local Government Area with 52 bags of illicit drugs intended for supply to terrorists.”

The army added that the troops operating in Taraba State arrested the chairman of the Gassol Local Government Area Hunters’ Association, Adamu Tanko, for selling an AK-47 rifle to a suspected terrorist.

The army noted that an investigation had revealed that the weapon was recovered during a joint operation against terrorists in Boki Lamba, a border town with Plateau State.

In Plateau State, the army said the troops apprehended two suspected criminals in the Rikkos area of Jos North Local Government Area.

It stated that the troops recovered a fabricated rifle and mobile phones containing images of various calibres of arms and ammunition.

The statement further quoted the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as commending the troops for their resilience and commitment.

Lagbaja also expressed gratitude to the public for their continued support of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies through credible and actionable information about criminal activities.

The Star