- say Late General Lagbaja’s death will inspire soldiers to victory over terrorists, bandits, others
The Nigerian military on Thursday said that its troops killed 481 terrorists in October, promising that the death of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, would inspire soldiers to victory over terrorists, bandits and other non-State actors.
Director of Defence Media Operations, (DDMO), Major General Edward Buba, while briefing journalists on military activities against insurgents in October, 2024, expressed sadness over the death of General Lagbaja, said rather than being demoralized, his death would inspire soldiers to fight on to victory.
According to General Buba: “In October 2024, troops neutralized 481 terrorists. Other details are that, troops arrested 741 persons including terrorist. Troops also rescued 492 kidnapped hostages.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 480 weapons and 9,026 assorted ammunitions. Whilst they denied the oil theft of an estimated sum of close to #4 bn (N3,896,400.960.00) only.
“Breakdown for the month of October includes and is not limited to the following: 263 AK47 rifles, 81 locally fabricated guns, 91 dane guns, 76 pump action guns, 5,683 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,944 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 642 cartridges, 160 assorted arms and 1,526 assorted ammunitions.
“Others are 3,226,645 litres of stolen crude oil, 763,860 litres of illegally refined AGO and 12,690 litres of PMS amongst other item.
“On the whole, even as the armed forces mourn the tragic passing away of the COAS, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja. We will not allow his passing to derail our focus to destroy the terrorists.
“We are rather inspired by his actions on the battlefield as a war commander as well as his strong desire to defeat the terrorist in order to end the war.
“Accordingly, the military will continue work decisively to kill the terrorists, stop the insecurity in the nation and ensure the safety of citizens. The armed forces remains in a good and strong position in this war, and will win this war.”
Buba added that “troops have done a tremendous job of significantly dismantling the terror groups across the country, in various theatres of operations. Our strategy remains to undermine the ability of these terror groups and their cohorts.
“Troops conducted simultaneous strikes on several terrorist enclaves and hideouts across the country. The Air Force carried out bombardments and air interdiction on these terrorist hideouts and enclaves with precision, thereby diminishing the fighting capabilities of these terrorist.
“Truly, the terrorists know that they cannot match our military strength. The options open to them is to surrender or be killed in the battlefield.
“Accordingly, some terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have indicated to surrender. We are opening a surrendering corridor for that purpose.”
On the emergence of a new terrorist group in Sokoto State known as ‘Lukarawas,’ General Buba promised that Nigerian soldiers will also decimate them, explaining that the group is affiliated to ISIS.
He lamented that the inhabitants of the area didn’t inform any of the defence or security agencies about the infiltration of the group in good time. Instead, they welcomed and accommodated them until they began to terrorise them.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies as that is the only way the war against insurgency would be won.