DHQ confirms arrest of high profile ISWAP commander in Kano

Defence Headquarters said a high profile Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) Commander, Abba Yunus (aka Mallam Abba) and his accomplice was arrested at Samegu community in Kumbosto Local Government Area of Kano State.

Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this at a press briefing on Armed Forces of Nigeria’s military operations held on Thursday at Defence Headquarters Abuja.

Onyeuko said the ISWAP Commander was arrested based on actionable intelligence. He said 5 AK 47 rifles, 1 AK 74 rifle, 2 PKM squad machine gun, 9 85mm shoulder fired RPG bomb, 16 M67 fragmentation grenades, 1050mm mortar rounds, 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 18 boxes of ammunition, 1RPG model 7 tubes, 1 RPG 7 and 7 AK 47 magazines were recovered during the operation.

The Director Defence Media Operations further stated that the high profile arrest has nipped in the bud their planned mayhem in the area which would have claimed lot of lives.

He said in another operation on June 13th, 2022, troops received intelligence on movement of terrorists with intent to cross road Dogon Awo and Sokoto in Bakura Local Government Area of Zamfara State and the troops engaged the bandits and neutralized scores of the bandits while others escaped with gunshot wounds, after the engagement, troops recovered 718 cattle, 10 camels, and 5 motorcycles.

Onyeuko said on June 14th, 2022, troops responded to distress call on movement of bandits on motorcycles at Yar’kuka village heading towards Tadurga village in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. He said the troops in pursuit engaged the criminals at Kwanar Dutse due to fire power of the troops, several of the terrorists were neutralized.

Onyeuko said during the attack 6 motorcycles and 7 AK 47 rifles were recovered. He said within the period under review, a total of 12 AK 47 rifles, 1 AK 74 rifle, 2 PKM squad machine gun, 9 rounds of 85mm shoulder fired live RPG, 16 M67 fragmentation grenades, 10 50mm mortar rounds, 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 18 boxes of ammunition, 1 RPG model 7 tubes, 1 RPG 7 and 7AK 47 magazines were recovered. He added that the troops also recovered 5 motorcycles, 718 sheep, 10 camels and neutralized scores of bandits. Accordingly, all arrest and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.