Soldiers Kill Terrorist Kingpin Mai Dada, Recover Weapons

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said troops have eliminated a terrorist kingpin, Mai Dada, arrested logistics supplier and recovered arms and ammunition.

A statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said troops in conjunction with other security agencies, in a well planned and executed operations across various theatres between 25 and 26 June 2025, arrested several suspected terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition.

He said troops of 1 Brigade under Operation FASAN YAMMA in Zamfara State neutralised a terrorist kingpin identified as ‘Mai Dada’ during a counterattack in Maru local government area of the State.

In a related development, General Kangye said troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade neutralsed three terrorists during a raid in Bama LGA of Borno State, recovering a dane gun and destroying terrorists’ life support structures.

According to the statement, troops of the Land Component of Operation HADIN KAI from 82 Divison Task Force Battalion supported by Air Component within the period conducted fighting patrol in Ngoshe, Gwoza LGA of Borno State and recovered 408 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 1,200 rounds of 7.62mm, and quantity 2 of 40mm RPG bombs along identified  ISWAP/JAS withdrawal route.

Also, troops of Sector 3 in Monguno, Borno State, intercepted a vehicle conveying supplies suspected to be terrorists’ logistics supplies where one suspect was arrested.

He listed items recovered from the suspect to  include; 65 litres of PMS, four bags of rice, five bags of groundnuts, four bags of NPK fertilizer, some tubers of yam, seven motorcycle headlights, 10 solar lights, 2,000 empty cement bags, four solar panels and one mobile phone.

Similarly, in Kaduna State, troops of 2 Battalion on escort duty in Birnin Gwari LGA recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition after engaging fleeing armed men on a motorcycle.

Meanwhile, in Edo State, troops arrested a suspected criminal at Etsako Central LGA with a pump-action gun and cutlasses.

Similarly, troops of JTF Operation SAFE HAVEN recovered one dane gun abandoned by criminals on sighting troops during offensive operations at TANGUR, KWAKAS, HOROP, TULUS, JINAK, and HOKK village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State with the aid of UAV/drone.

Furthermore, in the North-Central Theatre, he said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE deployed at JOOTER/KYADO responded to information on kidnappers’ activity along Road PEYKIA – WUKARI in Ukum LGA of Benue State.

He added that following a fire fight, the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled into the bush as troops rescued five passengers and recovered one vehicle.

Similarly, Troops of 5 Battalion deployed at Otueke in Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State arrested two suspects in possession of twi, a locally fabricated pistol and one round of 9 mm ammo.