The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Armed Forces have arrested 450 terrorists, bandits and extremists and foiled the oil theft of N112,175,220 in the month of September.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, in a statement issued on Saturday, said troops also rescued 180 kidnapped civilians and recovered several weapons and ammunition within the period.
Kangye also detailed the activities of troops in the various theatres of operation across the country within the last one week.
In the North East region, troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action.
Their various operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Kukawa LGAs of Borno state and in Madagali, Hong and Mubi South LGAs of Adamawa state as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe state, led to the elimination of scores of terrorists and the recovery of arms and ammunition, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.
Troops also encountered 21 terrorist collaborators, informants and terrorist sympathizers whom they arrested, even as arms, ammunition, logistics items, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered.
Within the week, operational tempo sustained by troops of OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) throughout the week in such areas as Anka, Bakura, Tsafe, Maradun, Shinkafi and Maru LGAs of Zamfara state, Isa, Sabon Birni, Goroyo and Wurno LGAs of Sokoto state, Shanono, Gwarzo and Tudun Wada LGAs of Kano state as well as Arewa, Mariga and Kontagora LGAs of Kebbi state and Kaduna Metropolis, led to significant gains: some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued.
Of note is the arrest of a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu, and the arrest of 46 others while 13 kidnapped victims were rescued.
In the North Central region, troops of OPERATION ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) responded to distress calls about 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.
Firefights led to the neutralization of some extremists while 12 of them were arrested and 4 kidnapped victims rescued. Also, some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
Also in the North Central, troops of OPERATION WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their Area of Responsibility during the week. They conducted operations
between 23 – 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. They also conducted operations in Kabba Bunu and Omala LGAs of Kogi State as well as Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT.
During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action, arrested 6 suspected others, while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued.
In the South South region within the week, OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre troops foiled oil theft worth N20,855,660, made up of 13,175 litres of stolen crude oil and 7,230 litres of AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 7 boats, 11 storage tanks and 6 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 8 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Troops of Operation UDO KAin the Southeast sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. Operations conducted in Ihiala and Orumba South LGAs of Anambra state as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo state led to the elimination of a terrorist while 4 of them were arrested. Weapons, ammunitions, vehicles and improvised explosive devices were recovered.
Kangye assured that troops in conjunction with other security agencies and hybrid forces will continue to work together in ensuring that peace and security is returned to all troubled parts of the country.
