Troops Eliminate Scores Of Terrorists, Others Arrested, Captured 29 Perpetrators Of Oil Theft, Rescued Some Kidnapped Hostages
By Century News
In ongoing Military Operations, the Nigerian military in conjunction with hybrid forces and other security agencies have remained resolute in their determination to deny terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action by conducting sustainable operations to their enclaves. Their exploits against the terrorists and criminal elements during the week, despite minor set-backs in some areas were commendable as they dealt decisively with the ISWAP/BHTs as well as armed bandits.
This is a statement sighed by the Director Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye disclosed that Between 17 – 25 April 2025, scores of terrorists were neutralized while others were apprehended. Troops also captured 29 perpetrators of oil theft in the anti-crude oil theft operation and rescued some kidnapped hostages.
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Ninety Four Million One Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Four Hundred and Seventy Six Naira (N94,116,476.00) only during the week. The breakdown indicates: 89,684 litres of stolen crude oil, 46,538 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,650 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 62 crude oil cooking ovens, 71dugout pits, 18 boats, 3 speedboats, 36 storage tanks, 88 drums and 35 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles.
Relatedly, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices. Furthermore, huge cache of ammunition and live cartridges were also recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
In the last one week, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes:
Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. On 17 – 23 April 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught on them by our gallant troops.
Offensive Operations. Between 17 – 22 April 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, Askira Uba, Gwoza and Mafa LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, while 14 kidnapped victims were rescued. They also recovered arms and some kinds of assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as Improvised Explosive Devices.
Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. In a well-coordinated operation that was conduted from 17 – 22 April 2025 in Kaga and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State. Troops intercepted 5 terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered logistics supplies from them as well as a vehicle, some motorcycles and the sum of N28,120.00.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations.Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations on 15 April 2025, responded to distress call about terrorists activities, setting ablaze a community in Hong LGA of Adamawa State. On arrival, troops neutralized a terrorist and restored normalcy in the community.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following within the period under review:
Offensive Operations. Between 17 – 21 April 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact with terrorists in Gusau, Maru, Zurmi and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Gudu and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State. They conducted operations in Argungu and Sabuwa LGAs of Kebbi and Katsina States respectively. During the encounters, many terrorists were neutralized, arrested 5 of them, while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons as well as assorted quantities of ammunition, livestock and motorcycles were also recovered.
Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Talata Mafara, Gusau, Bungudu and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Safana, Matazu, Kurfi and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina Stat. Similar operation was also conducted in Kware LGA of Sokoto State on 17 – 22 April 2025. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, 3 of them were arrested, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles were recovered from them.
Arrest. Similarly, troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested over 25 suspected terrorists members, a kidnappers and motorcycle snatchers in Anka and Giwa LGAs of Zamfara and Kaduna States respectively. The same operation was also conducted in Isa LGA of Sokoto State on 18 – 21 April 2025. Troops recovered weapon, large sum of ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, mobile phones and the sum of N8,000,000.00 suspected to be ransom paid for release of a victim.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations: Offensive Operations. The period 17 – 20 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Riyom, Bassa, Wase and Kanam LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, our gallant troops neutralized several extremists and arrested 9 of them. Items recovered from the criminals includes weapons, assorted ammunition, vehicles and motorcycles.
Arrest. Similarly, on 18 – 22 April 2025 troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested over 37 suspected criminals/kidnapers in Jos North and Wase LGAs of Plateau State as well as sanga and Jama’a LGAs of Kaduna State. Recovered from them were arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons and mining equipment.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations.Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations on 18 April 2025, responded to credible intelligence about criminal activities in Barkin Ladi LGA Plateau State. During the operations, some criminals elements were arrested and ammunition were also recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review;
Offensive Operations. Between 17 – 24 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Lafia LGA of Nasarawa State as well as Ukum, Ohimini, Kwande, Logo and Otukpo LGAs of Benue State. Following a fire fight, our gallant troops neutralized some extremists, arrested 11 of them, among them were 4 members of kidnapping syndicate identified as Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Idi Yusuf, Adamu Daamai and Hassan Bello. They also rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Similar operation was also conducted in Ibi, Wukari, Karim Lamido and Lau LGAs of Taraba State. A suspected kidnapper identified as Stephen Vincent Douga was also apprehended at his hideout. Troops recovered assorted weapons, ammunition, vehicle, motorcycles and military uniforms. In another development, troops conducted operations and destroyed 4 terrorist camps belonging to Kachalla Ibrahim and Kachalla Shuaibu at Ofere Forest in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West LGAs of Kogi State as well as Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 17 – 24 April 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Takum LGA of Taraba State. On arrival, troops restored normalcy and 2 arrested suspects.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 89,684 litres of stolen crude oil, 46,538 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,650 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 62 crude oil cooking ovens, 71 dugout pits, 18 boats, 3 speedboat, 36 storage tanks, 88 drums and 35 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 29 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Offensive Operations. Between 17 and 21 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Okrika and Onelga LGAs of Rivers State as well as Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State. During the operations, troops arrested criminals and recovered trucks and large quantity of natural gas resources.
Arrest. Similarly, on 18 – 21 April 2025 troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 7 suspected vandals/kidnapers in Onelga and Toru LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie LGA of Delta State. They also conducted operations in Ekeromo LGA of Bayelsa State and Abi LGA of Cross River State.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained offensive operations during the period under review:
Offensive Operations. Between 18 and 22 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with terrorists in Okigwe and Orsu LGAs of Imo State as well as Uzo-Uwani and Nnewi North LGAs of Enugu and Anambra States respectively. During the operations, troops neutralized a terrorists, arrested some of them and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Recovered from them includes arms and ammunition, extra magazines IEDs, Vehicles, motorcycles and mobile phones.
Arrest.Similarly, on 18 – 19 April 2025 troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 3 suspected criminals in Nnewi North and Ohaukwu LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi States as well as Enugu South LGA of Enugu State.
According to General Markus Kangye, “We remain focused in our determination to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country in order to ensure the safety of all Nigerians. Against this backdrop, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is calling on all law abiding citizens to continue sharing credible information with our troops in order to enhance our operations”.
