Military Sustains Courage, Resilience To Eliminate All Forms Of Insecurity Across The Nation

By Anthonia N Okwuolise, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that troops in various theatres of operations have continued to demonstrate courage, resilience and more determination to dismantle terrorists’ networks, defeat banditry and all other forms of crime and criminalities across all theatres of operations.

Major General Markus Kangye, Director Defence Media Operations, made the assertion on Thursday, 14 August 2025 during the bi-weekly press briefing on the ongoing Military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

According to him, “they have carried out several offensive operations ranging from raids, ambushes, fighting patrols and other covert operations with resounding successes.

“The air component also carried out several air support, air raids and air interdiction missions during which several Boko Haram as well as JAS and ISWAP terrorists were eliminated and their camps destroyed, “ he said.

The brief will also highlight the successes of operational activities of the Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI, Joint Task Force North West OPERATION FASAN YAMMA, Joint Task Force North Central OPERATION SAFE HAVEN, Joint Task Force North Central OPERATION WHIRL STROKE. The operational activities of Joint Task Force South East OPERATION UDO KA and Joint Task Force South South OPERATION DELTA SAFE will also be discussed.

He reported that “due to the intensity of our operations, our farmers have continued to carry out farming activities unhindered and this is attributed to the efforts of our troops. This effort will be sustained throughout the farming season and beyond.”

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI

Let me begin by discussing the operational activities of Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI (OPHK). Spanning between 7 – 13 August 2025, troops of OPHK sustained efforts to deny Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the North East region. During the period, our ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security stakeholders, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.

Their effort led to the elimination of terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and their safe return to farming activities.

The troops conducted kinetic operations against terrorists in the general areas of Limankara, Kilangar, Pulka-Warabe, Kana, Kereto and Jakwa villages in Gwoza, Askira-Uba, Biu, Mobbar, Kukawa, Bama, Dikwa and Maiduguri Metropolitan City of Borno State.

They also conducted operations in Mubi North, Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State as well as Gujba, Nguru, Buni Yadi and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State. During the encounters, they eliminated scores of terrorists, arrested 16 of them and rescued 5 kidnapped victims.

Also, between 7 – 13 August 2025, troops conducted operations in Bula Dilima, Borno Yessu, Bulunguwa Maibe and Damasak villages in Bama, Kukawa, Dikwa, Magumeri and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State as well Mubi North, Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State. Operations were conducted in Gujba, Nguru, Buni Yadi and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State. During the encounters, some of the suspected terrorists and their collaborators were eliminated, while 21 of them were arrested. Weapons, ammunitions, Logistics item, vehicles and motorcycles were also recovered from them, while some IEDs were safely detonated.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA

Troops of OPFY upscaled their operations during the week in focus where some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued. For instance, between 7 – 13 August 2025, troops responded to information about terrorist activities in Malumfashi, Kankara and Matazu LGAs of Katsina State as well as Gudu, Illela LGAs of Sokoto State.

They also conducted operations in Kaura Namoda Arewa Dandi LGAs of Zamfara and Kebbi State as well as Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State.

During these operations, some terrorists were killed, 3 of them were arrested, while 14 kidnapped victims were rescued. Relatedly, troops while on offensive operations, eliminated terrorists, arrested 8 of them and rescued 3 kidnapped victims in Chikun, Birnin Gwari and Zaria LGAs of Kaduna State as well as Maradun, Tsafe, kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State.

They also conducted operations and eliminated some terrorists in Tangaza and Tureta LGAs of Sokoto State on 10 and 11 August 2025.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN

During the week, troops of OPSH responded to several distress calls about terrorists activities in some sectors. For instance, within the period 7 – 14 August 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa, Riyom and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf, Sanga and Bagoro LGAs of Kaduna and Bauchi States respectively.

During the firefights, troops killed some of the terrorists, arrested 4 criminals and rescued 6 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.

Notably, during a stop and search operation conducted along Kwoi – Keffi Road in Jamaá LGA of Kaduna State on 10 August 2025. A suspected gunrunner concealing AK47 rifle and ammunition in a sack containing animal feeds was arrested.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded high level of successes in their areas of responsibility during the week. They conducted operations in general areas of Ukum, and Logo LGAs of Benue State as well as Jalingo, Lau, Karim Lamido, Wukari and Takum LGAs of Taraba State.

They also operated in Lokoja and Kabba LGAs of Kogi State as well as Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT. During the operations, troops eliminated some terrorists, arrested 13 of them and rescued 9 kidnapped victims. They also recovered arms and ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles.

On 11 August 2025, our gallant troops arrested 2 suspected notorious gunrunners in identified as Mohammed Sanusi and Usman Alhaji Bala in Obajana, Lokoja LGA of Kogi State. Troops also captured a large quantity of ammunition in a deserted extremists camp in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State on 11 August 2025.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE

In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Thirty Seven Million Five Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Six Hundred and Thirty Naira N37,518,630.00) only.

The breakdown indicates; 24,575 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,140 litres of illegally refined AGO and 2,650 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and
destroyed 2 crude oil cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 4 boats, 3 storage tanks and 3 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, mobile phones and 2 vehicles.

Furthermore, 5 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.

Troops while conducting offensive operations, arrested 29 suspected oil thieves, cultists, kidnappers and other criminals in Emohua, Eleme, Ahoada and Onelga LGAs of Rivers State as well as Pantani, Isako North, Yenagoa and Ekeremor LGAs of Delta and Bayelsa States respectively. They recovered weapons ammunition and vehicles from them.

Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. They engaged and killed some terrorists, arrested 6 suspected IPOB/ESN members and a kidnapper in Orsu, Okigwe and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Imo State as well as Nnewi North, Ihiala and Ikwo LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi States.

Weapons, ammunition and vehicle were recovered from the operations and are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.

In his closing remarks, the Director Defence Media Operations assured that “our gallant troops in conjunction with other security agencies as well as Hybride Forces will continue to work together in ensuring that peace and security is returned to all troubled part of the country.”