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Surrender Or Be Killed, No Third Option – DHQ Tells Terrorists
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has advised terrorists, bandits and kidnappers to surrender or be killed, warning that there is no third option.
The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has advised terrorists, bandits and kidnappers to surrender or be killed, warning that there is no third option.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces.
Buba said “Since the beginning of the year, several terrorists and their leaders have been killed or badly injured owing to offensive actions by both land and air forces. Troops are continuing their actions even at this very moment and we are proud of them and appreciate their brave conduct.
“Even though it might not seem that way due to recent events across the country, the fact remains that, our goal is to restore peace and security for citizens to have an enjoyable life. We will continue to do that in spite of the current circumstances. Troops will continue fighting with great effort, determination and sacrifice to bring about great results.
Towards this end, he said, “For instance, in the month of January 2024, troop’s neutralized 266 terrorists arrested 463 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 116 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 447 assorted weapons and 6,697 assorted ammunitions.
“In the month of January 24, troops operating in the Niger Delta denied oil theft of the estimated sum of over N2.825billion (Two Billion Eight Hundred and Twenty One Million Five Hundred and Three Thousand and Nine Hundred Sixty Two Naira (N2,821,503,962.00).
“In the month of January, troops recovered 237 AK47 rifles, 26 locally fabricated guns, 18 pump action guns, 55 Dane guns, 6, 807 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 421 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 16 rounds of 9mm and 506 live cartridges.
Others are 1,832,150 litres of stolen crude oil, 523,799 litres of illegally refined AGO, 16,716 litres of DPK and 5,200 litres of PMS amongst other item.
Speaking on operations in the last one week, Gen Buba said, “Troops neutralized 105 terrorist and arrested 140 of them while also arresting 26 perpetrators of oil theft.
“Troops and rescued 86 kidnapped hostages and denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of over N220. 83million (Two Hundred and Twenty Million Eight Hundred and Thirty Nine Thousand and Five Hundred Naira (N220, 839,500.00)”
“Troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 18 illegal refining sites, 9 dugout pits, 19 boats, 21 storage tanks, 8 vehicles, 35 cooking ovens, 3 pump machines and troops recovered 157,300 litres of stolen crude oil, 23,750 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,050 litres of DPK.
“Troops recovered 208 assorted weapons and 5,332 assorted ammunition comprising 95 AK47 rifles, one assault rifle, 39 locally fabricated guns, 34 Dane guns, 14 pump action guns, 4 fabricated pistol, 3 fabricated pump action gun, one fabricated revolver pistol, 2 fabricated double barrel guns and locally fabricated arty pieces.
“Others are: 3,830 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 640 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 265 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammo, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 359 live cartridges, 8 magazines, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N383,200.00 amongst other items.
Detailing the encounters, he said, “troops of Operation Hadin Kai in North East neutralized 7 terrorists and arrested 4 BH/ISWAP terrorists; recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated guns, 12 Dane guns, 353 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 209 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 34 live cartridges, 62 mobile phones and the sum of N100, 000.00 among others.
“Troops of Operation Safe Haven in North Central neutralized 6 insurgents, arrested 44 violent extremists and 6 rescued kidnapped hostage. Troops recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated rifles, one fabricated pistol, 3 Dane guns, 2 locally fabricated arty pieces, 279 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 285 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 30 rounds of 9mm ammo, 45 live cartridges and one motorcycle.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in neutralized 29 insurgents arrested 21 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 9 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 14 AK47 rifle, 4 locally fabricated guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols, 8 Dane guns, one fabricated revolver pistol, one fabricated revolver gun, 1,156 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 100 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 30 rounds of 7.62 x 59mm ammo, 34 rounds of 9mm ammo, 23 live cartridges, 4 magazines, one motorcycle, 7 mobile phones and cutlasses amongst others.
“Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji in North West neutralized 57 insurgents, arrested 5 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 66 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops recovered 49 AK47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 3 fabricated pump action guns, 2 fabricated revolver, 3 Dane guns, 639 rounds of 7.62mm special, 101 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 165 rounds of 7.62 units 54mm ammo, 98 rounds of 7.62 unit of 51mm ammo, 62 rounds of 7.62 units of 39mm ammo, 89 rounds of 9mm ammo, 16 live cartridges, 19 magazines, 5 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones and the sum of N224,200.00 amongst other items.
“On 30 January 2024, the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji in a close air support operation conducted air interdiction at terrorist’s kingpin Maudi Maudi enclave Safana LGA of Katsina State. Following a confirmatory ISR on hibernation of terrorists in the enclave, the location was acquired and attacked with rockets and cannons. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized and their structures destroyed.
“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 11 violent extremists/insurgents and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, one assault rifle, 4 Dane guns, 146 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 32 live cartridges, 6 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and the sum of N49, 200.00 amongst other items.
“On 1 and 2 February 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 6 suspected violent extremists/insurgents in Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils of FCT Abuja and Kachia LGA of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops recovered 25 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2 mobile phones, Jack knife, assorted charms and the sum of N25, 000.00.
“On 30 January and 1 February 2024, troops in separate operations arrested 2 suspected violent extremists/insurgents informant in Kuje and Gwagwalada Area Councils of FCT Abuja. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects identified as Badamasi Mohammed have strong affiliation with kidnapping syndicate. He has been arrested numerous times but kept getting released.
“On 31 January 2024, troops on stop and search operation responded to information on kidnapping incident in AMAC of FCT, Abuja. On sighting troops, the violent extremists/kidnappers fled abandoning their victims. During the operation, troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages.
“On 2 February 2024, troops while on stop and search operation intercepted and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages in Munya LGA of Niger State.
“Troops of Operation Delta Safe in Niger Delta rescued 3 kidnapped hostages and apprehended 50 suspects for oil thefts and other violent extremists/insurgents. Troops also recovered 20 weapons and 243 ammunitions amongst other items.
“Troops of Operation Udoka in the South East neutralized 6 insurgents and arrested 5 violent extremists. Troops recovered one AK47 rifle, 3 pump action guns, 2 fabricated pistols, 2 Dane guns, and 1,257 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 56 live cartridges, 7 rounds of 9mm ammo, 10 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammo and one mobile phone amongst other items. All recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
Continuing, Gen Buba said, “Our nation is at war, and wars can be complex and ugly. Already, we are witnessing some of the ugly trends of war across the country. It is time for citizens to close ranks with the military to win this war. Citizens are critical in war, and must therefore be quick to realize their role in the ongoing war and act accordingly.
“I urge all segments of society to take example from our gallant troops in the frontlines fighting to achieve the goal of liquidating terrorists and insurgents across the country in order to restore peace and security. These men and women are from all the nooks and cranny of our country, and act shoulder to shoulder as a united force to achieve a common cause of destroying camps of violence in the country.
“Just like our footballers are doing to make the nation proud in the ongoing AFCON, our musicians and artists are doing on the world stage and our athletes flying our flags high with pride. It is not beyond us with our resilient spirit to quench the fires of violence across the country.
“Unity is key to our victory in overcoming the security challenges confronting us as a nation. Indeed, it must be said that, militaries don’t go to war; rather it is nations that go to war.”
A human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged South-East residents to completely ignore what he described as a “fraudulent” sit-at-home order allegedly scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, by a faction of the group.
Recall that the pro-Biafran group, through its spokesman Emma Powerful, had directed a sit-at-home on February 2 across the region in solidarity with traders at the Onitsha Main Market.
Powerful said the total shutdown in Biafraland is a direct, peaceful, and unified response to the actions of Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week.
But in a counter statement released on Saturday, Ejiofor said the source behind the directive, operating under the guise of “Emma Powerful,” has been compromised and is acting against the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo.
He insisted that IPOB has formally and decisively distanced itself from the false sit-at-home order and directed Ndi-Igbo to go about their lawful activities without fear.
The statement read in part: “Once again, the well-worn theatre of misinformation has opened its curtains, this time with a particularly lazy script and an insultingly predictable cast.
“Late yesterday, a report was widely circulated alleging that a total lockdown of Ala-Igbo had been ordered under the guise of a sit-at-home directive purportedly issued by ‘Emma Powerful,’ slated for Monday, February 2, 2026.
“Let it be stated clearly, unequivocally, and without ambiguity: this directive is fake, a phantom, a calculated falsehood.
“Upon careful inquiry and diligent verification, especially considering the delicate and hard-won calm presently returning to our homeland, it became glaringly obvious that the so-called ‘Emma Powerful’ platform has been fatally compromised.
“It has been hijacked by vested interests whose business model thrives on fear, disruption, extortion, and the cynical exploitation of vulnerable communities.
“The peaceful global movement of the IPOB has formally and decisively disowned this fabricated publication, categorically distancing itself from the false sit-at-home order and directing Ndi-Igbo to go about their lawful and normal activities without fear.
“Going forward, the message from IPOB is unmistakable: any publication attributed to ‘Emma Powerful’ should be treated with extreme suspicion, if not outright contempt.
“Frankly, one cannot but express astonishment, bordering on disbelief, that at such a critical juncture, when relative peace is cautiously resurfacing in Ala-Igbo, anyone would recklessly circulate information capable of reopening wounds and inviting criminal infiltration.
“History has taught us, at unbearable cost, what happens when fake directives fall into the hands of violent opportunists masquerading as enforcers.
“It is therefore no longer sufficient to merely advise our people to ‘ignore’ publications from this source. The time has come for greater clarity and firmness. The platform known as ‘Emma Powerful,’ in its current corrupted state, has positioned itself as an adversary to Ala-Igbo’s peace, progress, and collective well-being.”
According to Ejiofor, the peaceful global movement must go further by publicly and definitively explaining why this source has become unreliable, compromised, and hostile to the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo. Silence, ambiguity, or polite distancing, he said, only leaves room for further abuse.
“A masquerade that dances with fire should not be mistaken for a messenger of truth,” the statement concluded.
In recent operations across the North East, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have neutralized scores of terrorists and recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) in a statement said intelligence has confirmed the killing of JULAIBIB, a top ISWAP commander operating within the Gujba axis of the Timbuktu Triangle, during an encounter around Kimba, Damboa LGA of Borno State, on 30 January 2026.
According to the statement, the elimination of the terrorist leader has thrown ISWAP elements in the area into disarray, with several fighters reportedly neutralised during the operation.
In a related operation, troops of OPHK, working in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, neutralised 3 terrorists during a well-coordinated ambush between Ngazalgana and Lamusheri communities in Borno State.
It said the operation followed credible intelligence on insurgent movements in the area, as troops laid an ambush along the identified route and engaged the terrorists with effective firepower, resulting in the neutralisation of 3 insurgents, while others fled with gunshot injuries.
The statement said troops recovered two AK-47, adding that the operation forms part of sustained efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement and degrade their operational capabilities across the Theatre.
It said troops also recorded multiple successes in Adamawa State, adding that on 29 January, 2026, troops responded swiftly to a distress call from Barama community, Mubi North LGA, foiling an armed robbery attempt. Two armed robbery suspects attempting to attack a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, were arrested. One suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh while attempting to confront the troops and was evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Mubi, for treatment.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further investigation. Items recovered include 3 cutlasses, 2 laptops, 4 mobile phones, and one power bank.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has affirmed the death sentences passed on five 2018 Offa robbery convicts.
The court dismissed their appeals as lacking merit.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the state, Mohammed Akande, who witnessed the proceedings, said that the three Appeal Court judges unanimously agreed on the judgement and affirmed the verdict of the state High Court condemning the five persons to death by hanging.
“The Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division comprising of Hon. Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi JCA, Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole JCA and Hon. Justice Abdul Dogo today, Friday affirmed the judgment of Hon. Justice H. A. Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court, that sentenced the Appellants: Niyi Ogundiran, Salawu Azeez, Ibikunle Ogunleye, Ayoade Akinnibosun and Adeola Abraham to death by hanging for the involvement in the Offa Bank Robbery”.
Another official of the Court also said that the appellate court rejected all the grounds of appeal filed by the convicts and ordered their immediate return to prison custody.
“The court dismissed all their grounds of appeal and upheld their convictions. They have been taken back to prison,” the official said.
The official said that the arguments raised at the Court of Appeal were unconvincing and may not succeed if repeated at the apex court.
It is recalled that Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye and Adeola Abraham were convicted of armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms and culpable homicide.
A sixth suspect, Michael Adikwu, a retired police officer, died in custody before the commencement of the trial.
At least 32 people were killed, including nine police officers, two of whom were women, making it one of the deadliest bank robberies in Nigeria’s history.
Justice Haleemah Saleeman of the Kwara State High Court had earlier sentenced the five convicts to death by hanging after a trial that lasted about six years and attracted nationwide attention.
In her judgment, which lasted over four hours, Justice Salman held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
She said the convicts “acted contrary to the law and allowed their connections with those in power at the time to lead them astray”.
In addition to the death sentence, the trial court also sentenced them to three years’ imprisonment for illegal possession of firearms, in line with provisions of Nigeria’s penal laws.
Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), described the appellate court’s decision as thorough and well considered, despite the prolonged delays that characterised the trial.
On the defence side, Abdullah Jimba, counsel to one of the convicts, said that preparations were underway to pursue a final appeal at the Supreme Court.
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