The outgoing Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abubakar Abdulsalam, has revealed that over N350m was recovered from terrorist financiers since he assumed command.

The Theatre Commander made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing at the headquarters of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, in Maiduguri, Borno State, as part of activities marking his official exit from the theatre.

He said, “When I assumed this command on April 28 last year, the mandate given by the Army Headquarters was very clear, and that was to facilitate the restoration of normalcy in the North-East so that socio-economic activities can thrive.”

Abdulsalam said the mandate was measured by the restoration of essential services, including the reopening of markets, major supply routes and schools, as well as the return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities.

“Together and collectively, we have seen over 7,000 displaced families return to their ancestral communities, and today, communities that were hitherto abandoned for years have now been reoccupied.

“No fewer than 300 explosive devices were discovered and safely detonated from April 25 to date. Furthermore, over N350m from terrorist financiers was intercepted, with no fewer than 758 terrorist logistics collaborators captured,” he added.

According to him, over 3,000 persons had voluntarily and in a dignified manner been repatriated from the Republic of Cameroon.

“The National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp has returned to Maiduguri after more than 13 years. WAEC and NECO examinations are now being written in communities like Banki and Gwoza, while trade routes have been opened and local markets have come back to life,” he said.

Abdulsalam further stated that the theatre had recorded several operational milestones, including the neutralisation of over 1,200 JAS and ISWAP terrorists, including some notable leaders.

“As of the last count, over 216 top-ranking terrorist leaders have been taken out,” he said.

“Troops have also recovered over 500 assorted weapons and more than 25,000 rounds of various calibres,” he added.

The outgoing Theatre Commander also noted that the command had recently witnessed an unprecedented wave of surrenders, with a major surge recorded this year, which he attributed to sustained military pressure and the provision of dignity pathways through non-kinetic efforts.

Abdulsalam commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, and the Borno State Government for the support he received throughout his tenure.

He said, “I wish to first express my sincere appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his strategic leadership and for enhancing the welfare and combat capacity of the Armed Forces.

“I also extend my gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, CFR, for his guidance and for facilitating strategic international partnerships. My special appreciation goes to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, NAM, for his continuous direction and for reinforcing the Theatre with additional troops, equipment and combat enablers.

“To the Borno State Government, I thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, for his unwavering support to this Theatre, particularly the provision of critical combat enablers, which include MRAPs, long-range surveillance cameras and drones, among others,” he said.(PUNCH)