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The Defence Headquarters has announced the surrender of two prominent terrorist leaders, Abu Radde and Umar Black, who operated in the Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State.
According to the DHQ, the duo surrendered to troops of Operation Fansan Yamma on 19 January 2025, following intensified offensive operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces in the Northwest operational theatre.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the outgoing Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Edward Buba, said the coordinated efforts of ground troops and air support successfully dislodged terrorists from their enclaves, inflicting heavy casualties and forcing many to abandon their strongholds.
During the operations, troops also recovered a cache of assorted weapons and ammunition and rescued 15 hostages previously held by the terrorists.
Buba said, “On 19 January 2025, two prominent terrorist leaders, namely Abu Radde and Umar Black, operating in Batsari and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State, surrendered to troops of Operation Fansan Yamma operating in the Northwest operational theatre of the nation.
“The surrender was occasioned by ongoing synchronised offensive operations by the ground troops and the air component, which resulted in several terrorists being dislodged from their enclaves with heavy casualties. During the operations, troops recovered assorted weapons and ammunition as well as secured the release of 15 hostages held by the terrorists.”
Buba, however, noted that despite the recent success, the mission was far from over, adding that the hunt for the notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji continued.
“Troops are nevertheless sustaining the momentum as they continue the hunt for the notorious terrorist leader Bello Turji, among others.
“On the whole, troops will continue to eliminate threats posed by terrorists and destroy them on the battlefield. The terrorists must either surrender or be buried on the battlefield. Additionally, troops continue with their operations to create conditions whereby terrorists are denied the ability to carry out acts of terror against citizens,” he added.
