In a decisive blow against terrorism, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, confirmed the official verification of the death of infamous terrorist leader Ali Kachala Kawaje, alias “Kachala.”
The Defence Headquarters revealed that Kachala, along with his accomplice Machika and skilled bomb expert Dan Muhammad, were among the casualties in recent airstrikes in Niger State.
The Defence Headquarters, in a statement released on Friday, disclosed that aggressive air operations targeted confirmed terrorist locations, resulting in the elimination of 38 terrorist commanders and the arrest of 159 foot soldiers.
The military’s intensified efforts aim to apprehend other wanted terrorists.
The statement detailed two major airstrikes in which top terrorist leaders, including Machika, Haro, and Dan Muhammadu, were neutralized. Notably, Ali Alhaji Alheri, also known as Kachalla Ali Kawaje, responsible for the abduction of students in Zamfara State, was neutralized in Niger State.
The military is closing in on other terrorist leaders, vowing that they will face a similar fate.
In a related development, the military reported the apprehension of Uchechukwu Akpa, a prominent commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). Three sub-commanders—Udoka Anthony Ude, Ikechukwu Ulanta, and Ezennaya Udeigewere—were also captured during a raid in Enugu State.
The purpose of their gathering was revealed to be the takeover of the IPOB/ESN Auto Pilot Command Enugu State Chapter leadership following the capture of their former commander, “Chocho.” The group had intentions to launch attacks on military locations. During the operation, Uchechukwu Akpa sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to flee.
The military also arrested 66 individuals suspected of engaging in oil theft, rescued 89 hostages, and seized a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. The recovered items included various firearms, ammunition, vehicles, mobile phones, motorcycles, laptops, and a substantial amount of money.
