A staunch ally of wanted kidnap kingpin Bello Turji, Bako Wurgi; and two other kingpins Hamisu Sale (aka Master), and Abubakar Muhammad, have been arrested by the military.
Wurgi is suspected to be linked to the murder of a Sokoto monarch.
The Director of Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj-Gen. Buba Edward, who disclosed this added that Wurgi had died as a result of gunshot wounds after his arrest.
Buba said the terrorist kingpins were arrested during operations in the North-West and North Central zones of the country.
“Significantly, a high profile terrorist identified as Hamisu Sale (aka Master) and Abubakar Muhammad were arrested during separate operations conducted in the NC theatre of operation. The duo is cooperating and providing valuable intelligence on the terror network.
“Similarly, troops in the NW theatre of operation arrested another high-profile and notorious terrorist identified as Bako Wurgi. The arrested terror leader is linked to the murder of the Sokoto monarch and a staunch ally of wanted high-profile terrorist Bello Turji.
“The arrested terrorist leader, Bako Wurgi, eventually succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the firefight. He, nevertheless provided valuable intelligence to support troops’ operations before he died,” Buba said.
Buba said troops had been ordered to protect the citizens during the festive season, adding that to achieve this, massive operations against terrorist leaders across the threats of operations were ongoing.
He said, “Troops are on high alert and have increased readiness to protect the country from further terrorist aggression, particularly during the yuletide. Accordingly, robust operations targeted at terrorist leadership are being conducted across the various theatres of operations.”
He said during the week under review, troops killed 212 and arrested 272 persons.
“Troops also arrested 45 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 152 kidnapped hostages. In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of N1,193,817,760.00 only,” he added.
According to Buba, troops recovered 247 assorted weapons and 6,174 assorted ammunition, including “two RPG UXO4, 110 AK47 rifles, 56 fabricated rifles, 36 Dane guns, two FN rifles, two Baretta pistols, 15 locally-made pistols, two revolver pistols, 12 pump action guns, two double barrel guns,” among others.
