The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the death of the wanted terrorist leader Ali Kachala Kawaje, a terrorist bomb expert Machika, Dan Muhammad and 38 other terrorist commanders in Niger State airstrikes.

This is as the DHQ said it was closing in on other wanted terrorists.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The statement partly read, “During the week in focus, air assets conducted aggressive air flights on confirmed locations active with the movement of terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers. Strikes carried out resulted in over 38 terrorist commanders and their foot soldiers, while 159 of them were arrested.

“Recently, the military conducted two major air strikes on the terrorist enclave. One of the strikes, on Dec 6, neutralized several top terrorist commanders. Namely, one Machika, a top terrorist bomb expert and younger brother of a notorious terrorist (Dogo Gide).

“Other prominent terrorist leaders neutralised include Haro and Dan Muhammadu, both of whom are specialists in kidnapping and assault operations, respectively.

“A renowned terrorist leader responsible for the abduction of the students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Ali Alhaji Alheri, popularly called Kachalla Ali Kawaje, was neutralised in Munya LGA of Niger state along with many of his foot soldiers. The military is fast closing in on others, and they will equally suffer the same fate,” he reiterated.. (The PUNCH)