Military And DSS Arrest ISWAP Leader In Bauchi

The Nigerian Military, in partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS), apprehended the commander of the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) terrorist group in Bauchi State, according to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, announced in a statement on Friday, December 1, 2023, that the terrorist leader was apprehended during a sting operation in Tarum, a village outside Bauchi Metropolis.

Buba stated that the military’s determination to go after terrorist leaders resulted in the arrest of the terrorist leader, stressing that air operations performed in the regions resulted in the demolition of the terrorists’ enclaves.

“The ongoing military operations continue to decimate the fighting force of the insurgents, terrorists, and violent extremists across the country. Accordingly, their fighting capacity is low and they are on the run,” the statement read.

“Troops are targeting the leadership of these groups to ensure they pose no further threat to the safety and security of citizens. Significantly, on 29 Nov 23, at Tarum Village located on outside of Bauchi Metropolis in Bauchi State

“Troops collaborated with personnel of DSS to conduct a sting operation that culminated in the arrest of the leader of ISWAP terrorist group in charge of North Central and North West Zones. He is in custody. Similarly, air interactions have been conducted on several enclaves of these terrorist leaders in the NW and NC zones with much success.”

Buba also stated that troops killed 52 terrorists and captured 204 in the last week, as well as rescuing 234 kidnapped victims.

“The operations of the week in focus, resulted in 52 neutralised terrorists, while 204 of them were arrested. Troops also arrested 58 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 234 kidnapped hostages.”

He stated that troops in the South-South zone denied oil thieves N668 million and recovered 267,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 567,700 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 5,000 litres of DPK.

“In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N668,731,000.00 only. Troops in the Niger Delta area destroyed 7 dugout pits, 25 boats, 47 storage tanks, 5 vehicles, 141 cooking ovens, one pumping machine, one outboard engine, one tricycle, one speedboat, one tugboat, and 51 illegal refining sites. Troops recovered 267,700 litres of stolen crude oil, 567,700 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 5,000 litres of DPK.”