Troops Neutralize 74 Terrorists, Arrest 140 Suspects, As 31 Perpetrators Of Oil Theft Apprehended

By Century News

According to the Director Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye stated this in a statement sighed that during the week under review, land component of the Armed Forces conducted joint operations with the ONSA Team, security agencies and hybrid forces. These operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.

In the cause of the operations, they neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. The air component also, conducted several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions.

For instance, between 5 February – 13 March 2025, a total of 74 terrorists were neutralized while 130 suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 31 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 61 kidnapped hostages.

In the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about One Billion, Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred and One Naira (N1,008,750,901.00) only.The breakdown includes: 675,266 litres of stolen crude oil, 312,593 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,500 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 51 crude oil cooking ovens, 49 dugout pits, 43 boats, 28 storage tanks, 131 drums and 56 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 3 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and 8 vehicles amongst others.

In a related development, troops recovered 71 and 1,289 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 32 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated guns, 9 dane guns, 3 pump action guns, 2 locally fabricated pistols and 10 other assorted arms. They also recovered 1,133 assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 69 live cartridges.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:

Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 6 February – 12 March 2025, a total of 143 terrorists comprising 5 adult males, 66 adult females and 72 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops. one of the terrorists surrendered with 2 AK47 rifle, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 magazines.

Offensive Operations. Between 5 – 11 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Damboa, Bama, Monguno, Abadam and Konduga LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba and Madagali LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa States respectively. During the operations, 13 terrorists were neutralized, 3 were apprehended, while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued.

They also recovered 7 Ak47 rifles, 2 dane guns, 3 locally fabricated rifles, 2 prototype dane guns for training of
children, 286 assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 magazines, one unexploded ordnance devices, 2 IEDs, terrorists flags and 7 motorcycles. The sum of N10,500.00 was also recovered from them.

Arrest of ISWAP Terrorist Collaborators.
(1) On 5 and 8 March 2025, troops in conjunction with NDLEA team intercepted and arrested 6 terrorist collaborators in Ngala, Bama and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, 2 mobile phone, 10 Starlink Wifi network devices and the sum of N13,000.00 were recovered from them. On 8 March 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities, intended to kidnap some villagers in Chibok LGA of Borno State. On arrival, they apprehended 3 terrorists and rescue 11 hostages. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one pump action, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16 cartridges, 2 magazines and 3 motorcycles.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA

Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:

Offensive Operations. Between 5 – 10 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Shinkafi, Bungudu, Anka and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Danmusa, Matazu, and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. Similar raids and clearance operations were also conducted in Isa and Bena LGAs of Sokoto and Kebbi States respectively. During the cencouunters, 18 terrorists were neutralized while 12 kidnapped hostages were rescued.Troops also recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 4 fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, 151 assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 magazines, 7 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones from them.

Rescue of Kidnapped Victims. On 4 March 2025, troops while on clearance operations at Bagega Forest in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, rescued 9 kidnapped victims who were held hostage for over 3 months. Terrorists Activities. From 6 – 10 March 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities in Anka and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Danmusa and Arewa LGAs of Katsina and Kebbi States respectively. During the encounter, 3 terrorists were neutralized, 2 were arrested, while 5 victims were rescued. Recovered from them were, 3 Ak47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, one dane gun, 63 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one vehicle and 2 motorcycles.

Arrest of Terrorists. On 8 March 2025, following intelligence reports, troops apprehended 3 suspected criminal in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State and recovered 2 mobile phones and the sum of N1,000.00 only from them.

Air Interdiction. During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted multiple air interdiction missions in coordination with ground troops and cleared Nagogo’s enclave in Dunya Hill, Danmusa LGA of Katsina. Battle Damage Assessment and feedback from locals revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, while their equipment and structures were destroyed.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH

In the week under review, troops successfully achieved the following in Operation WHIRL PUNCH:

Offensive Operations. Between 5 – 7 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Buruten and Etsako West LGAs of Kwara and Edo States respectively. During combat, 4 terrorists were arrested and one AK47 rifles, 67 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 3 magazines as well as 3 motorcycles were recovered.

Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 10 and 11 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State as well as Bwari Area Council of FCT. During the operations, one extremist was neutralized, 2 kidnappers were arrested while 3 hostages were rescued. One locally fabricated rifle, one fabricated pistol, 59 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and one vehicle were recovered.

Arrests.On 8 March 2025, troops, following credible report arrested 5 suspected criminals in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT as well as Ondo west and Kaiama LGAs of Ondo and Kwara States respectively. Similarly, 2 kidnappers and some terrorist informant’s were arrested in Borgu and Lokoja LGAs of Niger and Kogi States. They also recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally fabricated rifle and 48 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
On 8 March 2025, troops in conjunction wih ONSA and NATIP teams apprehended a child trafficker with one year old female baby in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN

During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:

Offensive Operations. Between 5 – 11 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists’ in Barkin Ladi, Jos North, Riyom, Kanam and Bassa LGAs of plateau State as well as Jema’a and Kaura LGAs of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, 6 extremists were neutralized, 11 criminals were arrested and 22 kidnapped victims were rescued. Items recovered from the criminals includes; 3 Ak47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, one dane gun, 89 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 2 magazines, 2 vehicles and 3 motorcycles.
Arrests. From 5 – 11 March 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists in Pankshin, Bassa, Mangu, Jos South, Riyom and Jos North LGAs of Plateu State as well as Kachia, Jema’a, Sanga and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.

During the operations, 5 extremists/criminals were neutralized, 13 were arrested, while 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. 2 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one vehicle, 3 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N8,580.00 were recovered. On 11 March 2025, following a tip-off, troops conducted a sting operation and arrested a gunrunner identified as Blessed Paul in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. One AK47 rifle, 22 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and the sum of N1,500,000.00 only were recovered from the suspect.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review: 

Violent Extremist/Insurgents Activities. From 5 March 2025, following credible report on activities of kidnappers along road Zaki
Biam – Kyado in Ukum LGA of Benue State. On arrival, troops rescued 4 abducted passengers abandoned by their abductees. Arrests. From 5 – 9 March 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists in Guma, Apa and Oktukpo LGAs of Benue State as well as Bali and Gassol LGA of Taraba State.

During the operations, 6 kidnappers/extremists were arrested, 3 hostages were rescued while 2 motorcycles were recovered. Offensive Operations. Between 7 – 9 March 2025, troops while on a clearance operations, raided Ukum LGA of Benue State. During the operations, 2 extremists were neutralized and 4 were arrested. one Ak47 rifle, 12 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 motorcycle were recovered. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations.

On 10 and 11 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Nasarawa and Karu LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Takum LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, 2 extremists were neutralized and 2 kidnappers were arrested, while 2 hostages were rescued. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated rifle, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 motorcycles.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE had continued to maintain momentum against activities of crude oil thieves. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Details as follows:

Troops Destroyed Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 675,266 litres of stolen crude oil, 312,593 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,500 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 51 crude oil cooking ovens, 49 dugout pits, 43 boats, 28 storage tanks, 131 drums and 56 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 3 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and 8 vehicles.

Additionally, 31 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, 11 and 103 assorted arms and ammunition as well as 3 extra magazines were also recovered among others. Arrest. From 5 – 10 March 2025, troops responded to information about ongoing criminality activities in Bakassi and Onelga LGA of Cross River and Rivers States as well as Warri South, Sapele Uvwie and Ughelli LGAs of Delta State.

During the operations, 11 suspected criminals were arrested, while 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. One vehicle, 3 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N108,500 were also recovered from them. Offensive Operations. On 9 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Ethiope West and Yakur LGAs of Delta and Rivers states respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 3 criminals and recovered 2 motorcycles.

Air Interdiction. The Air Component of the Operation DELTA SAFE conducted patrols and air reconnaissance missions during the week under review. The missions were conducted over Imo River, Owaza, Ohaji/Egbema and Abacheke general areas as well as Nembe, Okpokiri, Tomkiri, Brass and Belema axis. These missions aided successes in destruction of illegal refining sites, boats, vehicles and tricycles among other equipment.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA

Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review:
Arrest. On 6 and 8 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Osisioma LGA of Anambra state and Oguta LGA of Imo State. During the operations, one criminal was neutralized, 5 were arrested while one victim was rescued.

They recovered one locally made pistol, 2 live cartridges, one mobile phone and the sum of N400,000.00 only. Offensive Operations. On 9 March 2025, troops during offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Mbatoli and Okigwe LGA of Imo state as well as Ihiala LGAs of Anambra State. Following a fire fight, one extremist was neutralized, 2 pump action guns and 11 live cartridges were recovered while their shrines and equipment were destroyed.Troops Repelled Attack. On 10 March 2025, troops came under IPOB/ESN extremists attack in Orsu LGA of Imo State but successfully repelled the attack and neutralized one as well as recovered his weapon.

Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

Air Interdiction. During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation UDO KA conducted air missions to Obinze in Imo State, the mission was extended to Ebonyi State covering Ivo, Ohaozara, Ikwo, Ezza South and their adjoining settlements.The missions has significantly reduced IPOB/ESN terrorists and other criminality activities that is disrupting peace and order in the region.

The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.