Military kills 75 terrorists, arrests 138 others, rescues 46 kidnapped victims

In the fight to purge the country of criminal elements over the past ten days, Nigerian military forces have killed 75 terrorists, arrested 138 others, and rescued 46 abducted victims, according to a statement released by the defence headquarters on Thursday.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye who made this known, disclosed that troops also apprehended 36 perpetrators of oil theft noting that in the cause of the operations, gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended.

“Troops recovered 104 assorted weapons and 2,639 assorted weapons and ammunition comprising 55 AK-47 rifles, 20 locally fabricated guns, 8 Dane guns, 18 pump action guns, 1,826 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 376 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 366 rounds of 7.62 by 12.7mm ammo, 26 cartridges as well as other 14 assorted arms and 45 assorted ammunition.

In the SS, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Six Hundred and Forty-six Million, One Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety Naira (N646,189,690.00).

“Troops discovered and destroyed 42 illegal refining sites, 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19 boats, 16 storage

tanks, 38 drums, 3 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among others.

“Troops also recovered 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,075 litres of PMS.

Giving details of the operations, Major General Kangye said, “Troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 22 terrorists, arrested 13 others and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages.

Troops also recovered 12 Ak-47 rifles, 2 G3 Rifles, 3 dane guns, 2 fabricated rifles, 102 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 317 rounds

of 7.62mm Special ammo, 82 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, one RPG tube, 3 RPG bombs and 11 magazines.

“Also, 2 aircraft engines, one double barrel cannon gun, 16 missiles and the sum of N58,980.00 only amongst others.

“Between 5 – 10 February 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Damboa and Mafa LGAs of Borno State.

“During the operations, 12 terrorists were neutralized, 3 were apprehended, while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered 9 Ak-47 rifles, one G3 Rifle, 2 dane guns, 102 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 70 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 55 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, one RPG tube, 3 RPG bombs and 6 magazines. Similarly, 2 calibrated aircraft engines from a longtime unidentified aircraft crashed site, one double barrel cannon gun and 16 missiles were also recovered.

From 5 – 10 February 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Force while on offensive patrol intercepted and arrested 18 BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in Konduga, Biu and Hawul LGAs of Borno State as well as Gediman and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.

“Quantity 90 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N58,980.00 only were recovered from them.

“On 5 and 6 February 2025, following credible intelligence, troops laid ambush on ISWAP route in Gwoza and Konduga LGAs of Borno State and made contact.

“Following a fire fight, 8 terrorists were neutralized, while 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, one G3 rifle, 157 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 27 rounds of 7.62mm NATO as well as one magazine were recovered.

“In the North West, troops of Operation of Fasan Yamma neutralized 58 terrorists, arrested 11 others and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages.

Troops recovered 31 AK-47 rifles, 9 fabricated rifles, 2 GPMGs, one RPG tube, 252 Chain link of 12.7mm, 558 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 12 magazines, 5 boefeng radios, 13 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and the sum of N2,451,820.00 among others.

“On 4 February 2025, troops while on fighting patrol responded to information about terrorists’ activities and made contact in Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State.

“Following a fire fight, 5 terrorists were neutralized while 5 kidnapped hostages are rescued.

“On 4 February 2025, troops encountered terrorists in Gusau LGA of Zamfara State and engaged them accordingly. As a result, 6 terrorists were neutralized and 4 AK 47 rifles, 2 dane guns, 62 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, as well as 2 motorcycles were recovered.

“On 4 February 2025, troops conducted fighting patrol to Maradun LGA of Zamfara State and made contact.  Following a fire fight, 8 terrorists were neutralized while 5 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, one dane

gun, 83 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines and one boefeng radios were recovered. 

“On 4 and 6 February 2025, troops responded to information about BH/ISWAP terrorists activities in Sabon Birni and Talatan Mafara, Maru and Gumi LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States as well as Sabuwa, Kafur and Baure LGAs of Katsina State.

“On arrival, troops neutralized 6 terrorists and rescued 4 victims. They recovered 4 AK 47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 173 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 magazines and 3 motorcycles. 

“Between 4 – 9 February 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Gusau, Maradun, Shinkafi and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State, as well as Malumfashi, Batsari and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State.

“Similar operations were also conducted in Chikun and Birnin Gwari LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Gudu LGA of Sokoto State. During the combat operations, 18 terrorists were neutralized while 6 kidnaped hostages were rescued.

Troops recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, one GPMG, one RPG tube, 252 Chain link of 12.7mm, 197 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 5 magazines, 3 boefeng radios, 8 motorcycles and 11 mobile phones were also recovered.      

“From 7 – 9 February 2025, following intelligence reports, troops intercepted and arrested a notorious terrorist kingpin identified as Muhada Muhammadu (Yellow) and 4 others in Kauran Namoda, Shinkafi and Bukkuyum LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Binji and Birnin Kebbi LGAs of Sokoto and Kebbi States. The sum of N2,451,820.00 was recovered.

“Troops of Operation Whirl Punch arrested 51 violent extremists/criminals and recovered 2 fabricated rifles, 34 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 2 vehicles, 20 motorcycles

and 24 mobile phones amongst others.

“On 4 February 2025, troops in conjunction with ONSA tracking team raided a violent extremist/insurgent camp in Kabba-Bunu LGA of Kogi State and made contact. Following a fire fight, troops arrested 8 criminals and recovered 2 locally made Revolver Pistols and 46 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo.

“On 5 February 2025, troops raided an illegal mining site in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and arrested 51 persons. Furthermore, 2 trucks, 20 motorcycles, one compressor pump, 24 mobile phones and some quantities of mined precious stones comprising gold and lithium stone were recovered.

“⁰On 5 February 2025, troops while on fighting patrol intercepted one kidnapped victim who escaped from the kidnappers’ camp in Abaji Area Council of FCT, Abuja.

“In the North Central, troops of Operation Safe Haven neutralized one, arrested 51 violent extremists and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages.

“Troops also recovered 3 AK 47 Rifles, one fabricated rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 4 magazines, 2 vehicles and 7 mobile phones among others.

On 4 and 6 February 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists and arrested 3 in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, one fabricated rifle and 4 cartridges was recovered.

“Between 5 and 9 February 2025, troops responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities and arrested 48 violent extremists/criminals in Riyom, Qua’Anpan, Barkin Ladi, and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State. 

“Troops also recovered 2 AK;47 rifles, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 4 mobile phones and 2 motorcycles. 

“On 10 and 11 February 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Riyom and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State.

“During the operations, 11 kidnapped hostages were rescued while 2 vehicles were recovered.

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralized 3 violent extremists, arrested 14 and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK-47 Rifles, one dane gun, one baretta pistol, 2 fabricated rifles, 134 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 3 rounds of 9mm ammo, one magazine, 10 motorcycles and the sum of N2,667,720.00 only.

“On 5 February 2025, following credible report on activities of violent extremists, troops responded but no contact was made in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. However, troops searched the area and recovered 2 locally fabricated pistols with one extra magazine and 3 rounds of 9mm ammo.

“On 7 February 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State.

“They conducted similar operations in Wukari, Karim Lamido and Yorro LGAs of Taraba State. During the operations, troops neutralized 3 violent extremists, arrested 6 and rescued 8 hostages.

“Troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles and 31 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 vehicles and 3 mobile phones as well as the sum of N89,050.00 only.

Between 5 – 8 February 2025, troops responded to information about violent extremists/criminals’ activities, arrested 8 of them and rescued 4 victims. One baretta pistol, one dane gun, 103 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 7 mobile phone and the sum of N2,177,670.00 only were recovered.

“In the South East, troops of Overall, troops of Operation Udoka neutralized 4 IPOB/ESN terrorists, arrested 6 others and rescued 4 hostages.

“Troops recovered one FN rifle, one Single Barrel Pump Action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 Pistols, one dane gun, 440 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 13 magazines, one RPG bomb, 2 hand grenades, 15 IEDs, 33 Boafeng Radios, one binocular, 6 mobile phones and the sum of 46,300.00 only.

“On 4 February 2025, land component of Operation Udoka responded to a distress call on IPOB/ESN terrorists attack in Onuimo LGA of Imo State and Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State. On arrival, troops rescued 4 victims and recovered one locally made double barrel gun, 22 life cartridges, 10 empty cartridge cases, one truck, one motorcycle as well as one mobile phone.

“On 5 and 7 February 2025, following a credible intelligence, troops raided IPOB/ESN Camp (Alutas’ Camp) and terrorists leader residence in Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo State and Izzi LGA of Ebonyi State and arrested one criminal.

Troops recovered one FN rifle, one Single Barrel Pump Action gun, 2 Pistols, one dane gun, 440 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 13 magazines, one RPG bomb, 2 hand grenades, 30 Boafeng Radios, one first aid kit, 25 water gel explosives, one binocular, one fragmental jacket and 6 mobile phones amongst others.

“From 6 – 10 February 2025, troops made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ihiala, Orsu and Mbatoli LGAs of Imo State during offensive operations. Following a fire fight, 4 extremists were neutralized and arrested 3.

“They recovered one single barrel pump

action, 7 AK-47 rifles, 13 pump actions, over 15 IEDs, 3 boefeng radios, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N46,300.00 only.

“On 10 February 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, intercepted and arrested 3 criminals and recovered one double barrel gun, one locally made pistol and 5 live cartridges.

In the Niger Delta, Overall, troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,075 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19

boats, 16 storage tanks, 38 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.

“Troops apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 2 baofeng radios, 2 magazines, 9 assorted arms and 162 assorted ammunition.

“From 4 – 10 February 2025, troops responded to activities of pipeline vandals and other criminal elements in Ekeremor LGA of Bayelsa State and Ethiope East and Ugheli LGAs of Delta State. Troops also arrested others in Onelga LGA of Rivers State. During the operations, 9 criminals were arrested while one dane gun, 3 pump actions, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 3 motorcycles were recovered.

“On 6 February 2025, following credible intelligence, troops arrested one notorious criminal identified as Uwem Asuquo in Ini LGA of Akwa Ibom State. One locally made single barrel gun, one locally made pistol, 2 mobile phones and one human skull were recovered from the criminal.

Between 7 – 10 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops made contact with criminals in Yakkur and Mbo LGAs of Cross River and A/Ibom States, as well as Ahoada East and Emohua LGAs of Rivers States.

“Over 120 illegal miners were arrested, while one criminal was neutralized. Troops recovered 3 dane guns, one AK-47 rifle, one grenade, 7 live cartridges, one vehicle and 4 mobile phones among others.

Major General Kangye added that, “The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles.