The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops engaged in the counter terrorism war and other security operations across the country neutralized scores of terrorists, arrested over 120 suspected terrorists, criminals and rescued 41 kidnapped victims in the last one week.
The troops also destroyed 16 illegal refining sites in the Niger delta region, arrested 19 oil thieves, rescued five kidnapped victims and foiled oil theft worth N19.75 million.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who made this known, said troops recovered large quantities of various arms namely automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, improvised explosive devices making material, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition.
Gen. Kangye, at a media briefing on update on military operations conducted between September 14-22, said troops sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action in the North East region.
He said ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
“Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.
“Troops conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists in Damboa, Konduga, Gwoza, Marte, Bama, Ngazai, Chibok and Biu LGAs of Borno state as well as Bula, Nguru and Mubi North LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa State. During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims.
“Relatedly, from 15 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted operations in Kaga, Kukawa, Monguno and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Mubi South, Mubi North and Nguru LGAs of Yobe and Adamawa States During the
encounters, 26 terrorists collaborators, informants and terrorists sympathizers were arrested. Logistics items,large quantity of fabrics, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered.Recovered Items are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing”.
In the North West, he said “Troops of OPFY sustained operational tempothroughout the week with significant activities. During fire fights, some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued. For instance, from 15 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Kajuru, Giwa, Kagarko and KachiaLGAs of Kaduna State. They also carried out operations in Anka and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State, while similar operations were conducted in Kankara, Kurfi and Musawa LGAs of Katsina State as well as Binji and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto State. During these operations, several terrorists were killed, while 4 of them were arrested. Arrested terrorists are currently undergoing interrogation.
“Our gallant troops also conducted covert operations and arrested a notorious terrorists identified as Mallam Abubakar Ahmadu alongside 2 others in Paiko LGA of Niger State on 17 September 2025. Similarly, 2 kidnappers’ informants were arrested in Makarfi LGA of Kaduna State on 22 September 2025. Additionally, 4 other suspected terrorists were arrested in Bagudu LGA of Kebbi State on 21 September 2025. During the encounters, troops eliminated some terrorists, recovered arms and ammunition and rescued 14 kidnapped victims.
In the north west, he said , “troops of OPENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors. For instance, from 14 – 22 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bassa, Qua’An Pan, Riyom, Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jamaá, Kaura, Zangon Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. During the firefights, troops killed some of the terrorists, arrested 52criminals and rescued 9 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
“In a related development, troops raided a local weapon manufacturing factory at Heipan District in Barkin Ladi and arrested one criminal on 17 September 2025, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from the raided factory. Also, at Miyar village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State, a suspected kidnap kingpin was arrested on 23 September 2025.
In the north central, Kangye, said “Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their Area of Responsibility during the week. They conducted operations
between 14 – 22 September 2025 in Guma, Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State. They also conducted operations in Yagba West LGA of Kogi State. During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action, arrested 3 suspected others, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued.
Relatedly, troops arrested a high-profile kidnapper identified as Saawuan Wuaiyolna a member of notorious syndicate who is on the wanted list. He is believed to be a member of a criminal gang under the leadership of one Akiki Utivi also known as Full Fire in Wukari LGA of Taraba State on 17 September 2025. Additionally, between 17 – 22 September 2025, troops arrested 11 other criminals in Karim Lamido and Ardo Kola LGAs of Taraba State. Similarly, they arrested some criminals in Lokoja and Nasarawa LGAs of Kogi and Nasarawa States. In a related development, 3 kidnappers were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued at Kuduru high ground in AMAC of FCT on 18 September 2025. Weapons and ammunitions were also recovered during the operation. Recovered items are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.
