Troops pile pressure on terrorists, neutralize 358, arrest 431

…. recover 370 weapons, 972 ammunitions, arrest 2 IPOB/ESN terrorists

….foil oil theft of over N2bn, arrest perpetrators

The Nigerian military has piled serious pressure and sustained the tempo on terrorists and oil thieves as troops in January 2025 neutralized 358 terrorists and arrested 431 suspected terrorists in the ongoing counter terrorist and insurgency operations across the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, where it was also made known that troops also apprehended 59 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 249 kidnapped hostages.

Major General Buba assured that the armed forces will continue “to fight admirably in defeating terrorists and their cohorts across the country. Troops remain focussed in creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is assured.”

According to the statement, in the South South geopolitical zone of the country, troops stopped oil theft of over N2,699,660,460.00, with a breakdown; 2,732,038 litres of stolen crude oil, 42,515 litres of illegally refined AGO, 200 litres of DPK and 2,250 litres of PMS amongst other item.

Additionally, troops as well recovered 370 weapons and 4,972 ammunitions, which includes and not limited to the following: 105 AK47 rifles, 25 locally fabricated guns, 32 dane guns, 23 pump action guns, 3,066 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 758 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 980 cartridges, 72 assorted arms and 500 assorted ammunitions.

Meanwhile, Major General Edward Buba presented a detailed weekly report by the Military on the ongoing fight against terrorists and oil thieves as of January 30, 2025.

The Joint Task Force operation codenamed Hadin Kai in the North East region of the country indicated that troops sustained the tempo against terrorist and their cohorts across the NE theatre of operation. Troops recorded the following activities during the period under review; surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters to troops, arrested terrorists collaborators and conduct of different offensive operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Kukawa, Bama, Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State respectively.

According to the report, the operation recorded a surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrs to the troops, comprising two adult males, nine adult females and 20 children totalling 31 within the theatre of operation between January 22 and 29 Jan 25.

Troops on arrest operations between 21 and 27 January 2025, following credible reports, in separate operations intercepted and arrested 13 BH/ISWAP terrorists and collaborators/informants in Bama, Kukawa and Konduga LGAs of Borno State.

On offensive operations, which was on January 22 and 24, 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP in Geidam LGA of Yobe State as well as Damboa, Gwoza and Monguno LGAs of Borno State respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 55 terrorists and arrested 2 as well as recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 141 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 4 magazines, two mortar bombs, one mortar base plate, links of shilka rounds, one bandolier, one mobile phone amongst others.

In the North West region, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the following during the period under review; responded to terrorists activities, arrested terrorists and collaborators as well as conducted offensive operation in Kauru Namoda, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and Jibia LGAs of Sokoto and Katsina States. Troops conducted similar operations in Birnin Gwari, Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State.

Between 21 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and Birnin Gwari LGAs of Sokoto and Kaduna States. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and rescued three kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 383 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 PKT rounds, 13 magazines, 11 motorcycles and two mobile phones amongst others.

On terorrists’ activities; between 22 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of terrorists/kidnappers in Jibia, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops neutralized one terrorists, arrested four and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one FN rifle, two pump action guns, 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine, one vehicle, two motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others.

Also, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Kabba-Bunu, Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State as well as AMAC FCT Abuja.

On Offensive Operations; 26 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/terrorists in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State and AMAC FCT Abuja respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 24 extremists.

On 23 and 25 January 2025, base on credible information, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 2 violent extremist and gunrunner in Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State.

Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Kabba-Bunu, Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State as well as AMAC FCT Abuja.

Offensive Operations; On 26 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/terrorists in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State and AMAC FCT Abuja respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 24 extremists.

Arrest Operations. On 23 and 25 January 2025, base on credible information, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested two violent extremists and gunrunners in Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State.

Meanwhile, the weekly report also indicated that in the North Central, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. Troops also conducted similar operations in Toro LGA of Bauchi State.

Offensive Operations; On 23 and 25 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in Barkin Ladi and Zango Kataf LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 4 extremists and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered the sum of N250,000.00 only.

On 26 January 2025, troops while on patrol responded to a distress call on kidnappers’ activities in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, rescued 12 kidnapped hostages and recovered one round and 8 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo.

Arrests Operations; On 25 and 26 January 2025, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 12 violent extremists/terrorists in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State as well as Toro LGA of Bauchi State respectively. Troops also recovered one G3 Rifle loaded with 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammo, one fabricated pistol, 2 cartridges, one vehicle and 16 mobile phones amongst others.

Still in the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations in Wukari and Bali LGAs of Taraba State.

Offensive Operations; On 22 January 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations responded to distress call on kidnapping incident in Wukari LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops rescued one kidnapped hostage and reunite with her family.

Arrest Operations; On 16 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops while on offensive operation raided and apprehended one violent extremist/kidnapper identified as Suleiman Musa in Bali LGA of Taraba State.

Moving to the South South geopolitical zone, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products.

Troops also arrested violent extremists and collaborators as well as conducted several offensive operations in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State as well as Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively.

Troops destroyed illegal refining sites, and also recovered 552,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,900 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 203 crude oil cooking ovens, 16 dugout pits, 4 boats, 22 storage tanks, 13 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 2 tricycles, one motorcycle, 7 bicycles, 2 mobile phones and 4 vehicles among others.

Arrest Operations; On 23 January 2025, following a tip off, troops while on operations intercepted and apprehended 2 suspected violent extremists/ex-militants in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State. Troops recovered one Baofeng radio, one breech block of single pump action and one live ammo cartridge.

Offensive Operations; On 23 and 26 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/militants in Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively. During the operations, troops apprehended 2 extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 4 magazines, 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 177 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one baofeng radio and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

Meanwhile,Troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East recorded the following during the week under review; arrested violent extremists and collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

Arrest Operations; On 23 January 2025, following credible reports, troops while conducting offensive operations intercepted and arrested 2 IPOB/ESN terrorists collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

By Ebriku John Friday