Troops’ Efforts Restore Farming In Troubled Northeast, Other Regions – DHQ
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has affirmed the resumption of farming activities in the Northeast, particularly northern Borno, the Northwest, North Central and other areas affected by conflicts.
Disclosing this on Thursday at the bi-weekly briefing with defence correspondents at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said the heartwarming development follows troops’ heightened onslaughts that have significantly degraded terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, who hitherto obstructed farming activities in the areas.
TheFact Daily notes that insecurity in northeastern Nigeria, primarily due to insurgency, has severely impacted farming and food security in recent times, leading to displacement, reduced agricultural output, and increased food insecurity. The violence has made farmlands unsafe, forcing farmers to abandon their land, and disrupting the supply chain. This has resulted in a significant decline in crop production, increased food prices, and widespread hunger.
Kangye averred that “troops have been conducting aggressive foot and aerial patrols across farming communities in all theatres in order to guarantee security for the farmers”.
He further provided insight into the successes achieved in the various theatres of operation, the challenges faced, and the way forward in ensuring the safety of all Nigerians, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in collaboration with hybrid forces and other security agencies, continue to deploy advanced strategies to combat these threats and restore peace across affected communities.
For instance in the northeast, efforts of troops of OPERATION HADIN KAI led to the arrest of terrorists’ logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons.
Also, large numbers of terrorists comprising adult males and females including children surrendered to troops as they heightened the operational tempo across the theatre.
Their operations in Konduga, Marte, Ngala, Kala-Balge, Damboa, Chibok and Askira Uba LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba, Geidam and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State led to the elimination of some terrorists and the arrest of 11 of their collaborators while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued.
Similarly, 2 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed were arrested in Liya, Biu LGA of Borno State while receiving waybill from a truck driver which corresponded with intelligence received earlier on the said consignment. The items include 13 pairs of military uniforms and some high voltage batteries amongst others.
In the North Central, troops of OPERATION SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State.
While conducting these operations, troops contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
The gallant troops also intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road. Troops declined to be induced by monetary gratification offered by the suspects, who were subsequently arrested with weapons, ammunitions, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000 recovered from them.
Troops of OPERATION DELTA SAFE in the South-south region apprehended perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages. They foiled the oil theft of N291,326,400, with a breakdown indicating 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,759 litres of DPK.
Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 18 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums and 19 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 13 vehicles.
Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
Troops of Operation UDO KA in the Southeastern region of the country sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. Their efforts resulted in the elimination of 2 suspected IPOB/ESN members and the arrest of 14 of them, while 6 kidnapped victims were rescued in Aguata and Ihiala LGAs of Anambra State as well as Isiala-Ngwa South, Arochukwu and Okigwe LGAs of Abia and Imo States.
Similarly, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued during an intelligence led operation conducted in Udi LGA of Enugu State on 14 July 2025.
In a related development, on 10 July 2025, troops arrested an IPOB/ESN terrorists’ collaborator who was commissioned by the terrorists to collect taxes from the locals on their behalf in Ihiala LGA Anambra State. The troops recovered the sum of N1,500,000.00 from the suspect.
In his closing remarks, the Director reemphasized that the Nigerian military, which in collaboration with all stakeholders, remains committed to the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, the security of its people, and to upholding constitutional order,
is constantly guided by its operational guidelines, code of conduct for internal security operations, and the laws of armed conflict.
“As the Nigerian military strategizes to conclude these operations, I urge the public to continue to cooperate with security agencies, remain vigilant, and report any suspicious activities to appropriate authority. The support of all Nigerians, and indeed the media, is crucial to the overall mission success. We shall continue to provide timely updates and ensure transparency throughout the operation”, he stated.
