By Adetokunbo FAKEYE
The Nigeria military today, Thursday 16th of May, 2024 declared a notorious terrorist leader Halilu Buzu, a Niger national wanted, as part of their intensified efforts to combat terrorism in the country.
Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media Operations, who disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a media briefing, said Buzu, a prominent cattle rustler, illegal gold miner, and arms supplier, is responsible for the killing of 19 villagers in Farar Kasa last week, and is believed to be hiding in the Subbubu Forest and Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State.
Troops, he said, are hot on the trail of Buzu, adding, “Nigerian authorities have been called upon to apprehend and hold him accountable for his atrocities”.
According to Major-General Buba, the Armed Forces are actively engaged in various theatres of operation across the country, with a focus on destroying the military capability and will to fight terrorist groups, with a key target in destroying Halilu Buzu, a notorious terrorist leader from Niger, who is declared wanted.
He revealed that Buzu had a camp for illegal gold mining located at Kawayi, in Anka Local Government Area of the state, and had lots of boys working for him.
“Armed Forces are determined to bring him to justice and put an end to his reign of terror”, he said.
General Buba also presented successes recorded by the military in the ongoing campaign against terrorism across the country.
He said, “In a single week, troops neutralized 227 terrorists and arrested 529 others, further degrading their capabilities and disrupting their operations.
“In addition to the neutralization of terrorists, troops also arrested 11 perpetrators of oil theft, rescued 253 kidnapped hostages, and denied oil thieves an estimated sum of ₦1,312,477,050.
“Furthermore, troops recovered 231 assorted weapons, 6,441 assorted ammunition, and other items, including 4,198 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 841 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 88 rounds of 5.56mm, 16 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm, 99 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm, 956 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm, 242 live cartridges, one PKM magazine, 24 magazines, 6 baofeng radios, 8 vehicles, 69 motorcycles, 66 mobile phones, 12 cutlasses, and the sum of ₦1,630,000.
“The Armed Forces are fighting admirably in a challenging combat environment and have made significant progress in the fight against terrorism. However, there is still much work to be done, as many more terrorists need to be killed, weapons recovered, and commanders taken off the battlefield.
