Defence Headquarters on Friday confirmed the death of one of the most wanted terrorist leader, Ali Kachala Kawaje, a terrorist bomb expert Machika, Dan Muhammad and 38 other terrorist commanders in Niger State airstrikes.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said in a statement the military is also closing in on other wanted terrorists.
According to General Buba: “During the week in focus, air assets conducted aggressive air flights on confirmed locations active with the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers. Strikes carried out resulted in over 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.
“Recently, the military conducted two major air strikes on the terrorist enclave. One of the strikes, on Dec 6, neutralized several top terrorist commanders. Namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist (Dogo Gide).
“Other prominent terrorist leaders neutralised include Haro and Dan Muhammadu, both of whom are specialists in kidnapping and assault operations, respectively.
“A renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji Alheri, popularly called Kachalla Ali Kawaje, was neutralised in Munya LGA of Niger state along with many of his foot soldiers. The military is fast closing in on others, and they will equally suffer the same fate.
“The armed forces is hunting down prominent terrorist leadership and engaging them wherever they are hiding.”
Ali Kawaje, alias Ali Kachalla, was eliminated December 10, 2023 through airstrikes undertaken by aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) near Mangoro in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
Ali Kachalla had attacked a detachment of security operatives deployed at Mangoro Community in Munya LGA of Niger State. When the military was alerted, NAF fighter jets under Operation Whirl Punch swiftly responded to support the troops in distress.
Overhead the location, Kachalla and his foot soldiers were sighted withdrawing from the location on 11 motorcycles. But unknown to them, they were being trailed to their hideout near Kopa Hills where they took cover under a thick tree covering.
It was at this point that the airstrikes were authorized, which were decisive and swift, thereby ensuring effective and maximum damage on the terrorists.
The strike on Ali Kachala came barely 24 hours after the NAF confirmed the elimination of another deadly terrorist kingpin, Yellow Jambros.
