President of the South East Development Peace Initiative (SPDI) Hon Vitus Okechi has hailed recent breakthroughs made by the military in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
In a press statement issued in Enugu Wednesday Hon Okechi commended the efforts of the military expressing confidence that the battle would soon be won.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff insisting that the army boss has shown commitment, resolve and dedication to wipe out terrorists across the length and breadth of the country.
Okechi, a former Commissioner and Local Government Chairman in Enugu State recalled how troops of the Nigerian Army in separate operations recently in Zamafara and Katsina states killed no fewer than 11 terrorists.
“In Zamafara, the hideout of a terrorist leader, Hassan Yantagwaye, in the Tsafe Local Government Area was raided which resulted in a gun battle with two of his men killed in the operation.
“In Katsina State, the gallant troops on 30 March 2024 engaged in a fierce gun battle with terrorists in Shawu Kuka, Shinda, Tafki, Gidan Surajo, and Citakushi in Kabai I and Kabai II within Faskari Local Government Area.
“The troops neutralised eight terrorists and recovered three locally-fabricated guns, military uniforms, and a large number of stolen grains.”
Okechi further recalled how the most wanted commander of Boko Haram terrorists, Mallam Yathabalwe surrendered to the troops.
Mallam Yathabalwe had been terrorising Gwoza and the surrounding Mandara Mountain communities.
He was said to be responsible for series of attacks and killings, including the slaughtering of farmers on their farmlands in Gwoza LGA and environs.
The most intriguing he said is the successful raid of Orlu and environs by the Joint Task Force Operation UDO KA which resulted in the dismantlement of a notorious camp belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Imo State.
The raid, which was conducted on Thursday and Friday, led to the recovery of three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) bomb, a motorcycle, seven Baofeng radios, local ornaments, foreign ATM card, two SIM cards, two voter’s cards, plate numbers of stolen vehicles, and a toolbox.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, recently reassured Nigerians that the service personnel are determined to eradicate terrorists, bandits, and other threats.
In his Easter message on Sunday, the Army Chief noted that “The Nigerian Army remains committed, determined, and focused on ensuring the total defeat of insurgents, marauding bandits, and all other forms of external and internal aggressions disturbing the peace of the country.”
Okechi commended the reassurance from Lagbaja maintaining that under his leadership, the Nigerian Army has continued to record tremendous successes in various operations at home and abroad.
