Military Records Key Achievements As Troops Intensify Joint Operations
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has averred that troops have continued to intensify joint operations aimed at neutralizing threats to national security, restoring stability, and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.
Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, at a press briefing on Thursday, highlighted efforts of troops in collaboration with sister agencies across various theatres of operation in the month of August, that have resulted in significant successes nationwide.
For instance, they have arrested terrorists, kidnappers and other criminals, like Adamu Buba, otherwise known as Mai-Pankshin in Riyom, and Abdullahi Abubakar who have been terrorising Rafiki village in Bassa LGA of Plateau State, while 2 suspected gunrunners were arrested along Kwoi-Keffi road in Jamaá LGA of Kaduna State.
Similarly, 2 suspected Kidnappers identified as Mohammed Sanusi and Usman Alhaji Bala were arrested in Obajana, Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.
In the Northeast, troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI sustained the momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the region. OPHK’s ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security stakeholders during the period, 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.
Troops of OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA in the Northwest upscaled their operations during the week in focus where some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued.
In the course of operations conducted in Shanono and Takai LGAs of Kano State as well as Kaduna South, Makarfi and Ngaski LGAs of Kaduna and Kebbi states respectively, some terrorists were killed, 23 arrested, while 6 kidnapped victims were also rescued. They furthered their operation to Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State where they encountered and killed some terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
Also, a suspected terrorist was arrested while on transit in Borgu LGA of Niger State. During a thorough search, some arms, ammunition, a motorcycle and the sum of N321,000.00 were recovered from him.
During the week, troops of OPERATION ENDURING PEACE responded to several distress calls about terrorists activities in some sectors. They conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Mangu, Jos North, Riyom, QuaÁn Pan, Barki Ladi, Jos East and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kaura LGA of Kaduna State. During the firefights, troops killed some of the terrorists, arrested 6 criminals and rescued 2 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
In another development, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper while withdrawing the sum of N3,000,000.00 from a POS vendor in Bassa LGA.
In the South-south, troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE theatre, foiled oil theft worth over N28.8m. This is made up of 24,801 litres of stolen crude oil, 3,250 litres of AGO and 850 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 4 crude oil cooking ovens, 11 dugout pits, 7 boats, 5 storage tanks and 8 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 17 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
Relatedly, between 30 August and 1 September 2025, troops on offensive operations,
arrested 5 suspected criminals in Ahoada and Emohua LGAs of Rivers State as well as Ethiope East, Bomadi and sapale LGAs of Delta State, where they recovered arms, ammunition, a vehicle and the sum of N1,702,100.00 from the criminals.
Troops of Operation UDO KAin the Southeast also sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. They conducted operations in Ihiala and Aguata LGAs of Anambra State as well as Okigwe and Arochokwu LGAs of Imo and Abia state.
During patrol in Arochukwu, troops discovered some banners, on which were boldly written National Research and Production, Biafra Province Government, Bende Division and Biafra Military Depot in the area. The camps were destroyed, while some arms and ammunition, motorcycles, IEDs and some pairs of military boots were recovered from the camps.
Maj. Gen. Kangye reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of our nation, supporting civil authorities in maintaining internal security, and ensuring peace and stability across all regions.
He commended the troops in all theatres of operation for their unwavering courage, professionalism, and sacrifice in the service of our nation, saying that “their efforts are yielding positive results, and we remain resolute in sustaining the momentum”.
