Military authorities on Saturday disclosed that troops fighting to rid the country of insecurity and national threats rescued 180 kidnapped victims (civilians), arrested 450 terrorists/bandits and killed scores of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements last month.
Also, 39 terrorists surrendered to troops, while 63 assorted arms, 4,475 ammunition, and 294 explosive items such as grenades and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) marking materials were recovered.
Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Markus Kangye said that terrorist logistics and communications materials, including hand-held radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes, were also recovered.
He said: ‘In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe discovered and destroyed 41 illegal refining sites.
‘Troops also foiled oil theft worth over N112.17 million (one hundred and twelve million, one hundred and seventy-five thousand, two hundred and twenty naira (N112,175,220.00)), consisting of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK and 1,475 litres of PMS.
‘Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive device-making material. Also, some caches of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered’.
Detailing the encounters, the DMO said: ‘Troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the Northeastsustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the Northeast region.
‘Ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces, as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations leading to the elimination of several terrorists and their logistics suppliers.
‘Troops recovered weapons, dismantled their networks and provided support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.
‘They also conducted operations in Madagali, Hong and Mubi South LGAs of Adamawa State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
‘During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.
‘Relatedly, from 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted operations in Mafa, Magumeri, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Kaga, Abadam and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State as well as Mubi North and Hong LGAs of Adamawa State. They also conducted operations in the Geidam and Nguru LGAs of Yobe State.
‘During the encounters, 21 terrorists’ collaborators, informants and sympathisers were arrested. Arms, ammunition, logistics items, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered.
‘In the Northwest, troops of Operation Fasan Yamma, during firefights, eliminated some terrorists and bandits and rescued kidnapped victims.
‘From 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in the Anka, Bakura, Tsafe, Maradun, Shinkafi and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State.
‘They also carried out operations in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goroyo and Wurno LGAs of Sokoto State. Additionally, the same operations were conducted in Shanono, Gwarzo and Tudun Wada LGAs of Kano State as well as Arewa, Mariga and Kontagora LGAs of Kebbi State and Kaduna Metropolis.
‘While the JTF sector in Katsina State covered the Kankara, Faskari, Safana and Malumfashi LGAs of the state, a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu was arrested.
‘In the North Central, troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors.
‘From 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State as well as Sanga and Jamaá LGAs of Kaduna State.
‘During the firefights, some extremists were killed in action, 12 of them were arrested, and 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
‘Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke conducted operations between 23 and 30 September 2025 in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Gwer West LGAs of Benue State as well as Takum and Nasarawa LGAs of Taraba and Nasarawa States.
‘During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action and arrested 6 suspected others, while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued.
‘In Operation Delta Safe theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over twenty million, eight hundred fifty-five thousand, six hundred and sixty naira (N20,855,660.00) only’.
The breakdown consists of 13,175 litres of stolen crude oil and 7,230 litres of AGO’.
