How Security Forces K!lled Terror Kingpin Kachala Maidawa, 34 Others In Joint Operation
A notorious terrorist leader, Kachalla Maidawa, along with 35 of his accomplices, has been k!lled in a series of coordinated joint operations carried out by security forces.
The operations, which involved the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Department of State Service (DSS), the Police, and highbred forces, were conducted between September 29 and October 4.
The coordinated operations also led to the arrest of 32 criminal suspects, the rescue of 22 kidnap victims, and the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and logistics supplies.
A highly placed military source, who confirmed Maidawa’s de@th to The Nation on Sunday, stated that the terrorist kingpin and 11 of his foot soldiers were k!lled in Kogi State.
According to the source, during the onslaught that eliminated Maidawa and his cohort, troops under Operation EGWU EKE ATITE III, in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Navy, DSS, Police, and Hybrid Forces, thwarted Maidawa’s plan to attack at Isanlu, in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“During the fierce firefight, troops overpowered the extremists, neutralizing over twelve terrorists, including the dreaded Kachalla Maidawa, who had long terrorized communities across Kogi East and Kwara State,” the source revealed.
“Items recovered after the operation include one AK-47 rifle, 400 rounds of mixed ammunition, four motorcycles, three Dane guns, a fragmentation jacket, mobile phones, and other sundry items.”
The source said 34 Artillery Brigade and Operation UDO KA raided Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) hideouts in Abia and Imo States, arresting several suspects, including the abductor and k!ller of the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo.
Revealing successes recorded in other theaters of operation between September 29 and October 4, the source said 1 Brigade in Kebbi State ambushed terrorists along the Salka-Kinke-Makurdi road in Ngaski Local Government Area, k!lling two and rescuing eight kidnap victims. The troops also recovered seven AK-47 magazines, 180 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and two motorcycles.
The source said, “Similarly, in Kaduna State, 11 Field Engineer Regiment and CSI Battalion intercepted several criminal activities, including a ₦3 million ransom delivery attempt involving brand-new motorcycles meant for terrorists. Troops rescued the five kidnap victims and neutralized several fleeing bandits during the operations in Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
“In a related development, two suspected kidnappers were intercepted at Damakasuwa checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area with ₦1.3 million, while follow-up operations led to the neutralization of two other members of the syndicate who tried to escape during arrest.”
In the North East, the source said, 151 Task Force Battalion k!lled five ISWAP/JAS terrorists during an ambush at Dipchari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Additionally, 3 Battalion and 24 Task Force Brigade arrested suspected ISWAP logistics and drug suppliers along the Gamboru–Wulgo road, recovering illicit items. Another operation in Monguno led to the arrest of 12 suspects, including a terrorist tax collector, effectively crippling the terrorist intelligence network in the region.
On other military successes in the South East, the source said 34 Artillery Brigade neutralized a notorious foot soldier of an IPOB/ESN commander and recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 14 rounds of ammunition.
“Operations in the South South under Operation DELTA SAFE uncovered and destroyed multiple illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and Bayelsa States, recovering over 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Additionally, 14 drug peddlers were arrested by troops in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA,” he said.
In the North Central, the source said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized an armed suspect in Benue State and rescued six kidnapped victims in Taraba State.
“Further arrests of arms suppliers and suspected collaborators were made in Sokoto and Kano States, reinforcing the Army’s proactive stance against insecurity,” the source said.