By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The Defence Headquarters has said troops neutralized 27 terrorists while 62 suspected others were arrested, between January 30 and February 7, 2025.
It also said they apprehended 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages.
The Director of the Defence Media Operations Major General Markus Kangye disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
He said within the week under review, troops conducted offensive operations such as raids, ambushes and fighting patrols. They neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists, gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended.
Troops in the South South foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Two Hundred and Ninety Two Million Six Hundred and Forty Four Thousand One Hundred Naira.
He stated that, troops discovered and destroyed 220 crude oil cooking ovens, 23 dugout pits, 2 boats, 17 storage tanks, 7 drums and 24 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include one pumping machine, 3 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 2 vehicles among others.
In a related development, troops recovered 61 weapons and 1,584 ammunitions which includes but not limited to the following: 26 AK47 rifles, 4 locally fabricated guns, 9 dane guns, 8 pump action guns, 346 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 53 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 920 rounds of 7.62 x 12.7mm ammo, 16 cartridges, 14 assorted arms and 20 assorted ammunitions.
He said that troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 18 terrorists, arrested 11 and rescued 31 kidnapped hostages. Troops also, recovered 9 AK47 rifles, 8 Dane Guns, one metal prototype pistol, one RPG propeller 4 wooden miniature guns, 2 prototype guns for training children, 4 RPG bombs one x 60 mm mor tube, 920 rounds of 12.7x108mm ammo belted ammo, 109 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one empty case of 7.62 x 54 mm 5 magazines.
He stated that, troops further recovered 4 motorcycles 6 terrorists flags, one baofeng HH radio, 3 mobile phones, 9 bicycles and 3 IED/IEDs making materials as well as the sum of N49,600.00.
He stated that troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded an offensive operations which made contact with BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State and Shinkafi, Zurmi and Maradum LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operations were conducted in Matazu and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. Following a fire fights, troops neutralized 8 terrorists, arrested 3 and rescued 54 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 53 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines, 5 motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others.b. Terrorists Activities. On 3 February 2025, troops responded to information on activities of terrorists in Goronyo and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State. During the operations, troops arrested one terrorist and rescued one kidnapped hostage. Troops also recovered 2 motorcycles one mobile phone and the sum of ₦290,000.00 only. c. Arrests Operation. On 3 February 2025, based on credible information, troops intercepted and arrested 2 kidnappers in Kiru LGA of Kano State in connection with a kidnap case.
Troops in North West raided and arrested 8 persons close relations to a wanted high profile kidnapper identified as Dogon Dawa in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State.
General Kangye said,troops conducted operations to Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State as well as Lokoja and Kabba Bunnu LGAs of Kogi State and arrested five criminal and recovered 2 locally made Revolver Pistols one pistol with 3 rounds of 9 mm ammo, 46 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo 2 mobile phones, and the sum of ₦725,400.
Additionally he said that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 4, arrested 2 violent extremists and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 6 AK 47 Rifles, one K2 Daewoo Assault Rifle, 2 fabricated rifles, one K2 magazine, 104 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and 20 rounds of 5.56mm ammo, 5 magazines, 5 mobile phones and others.
He stated that, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded activities violent extremists/kidnappers in Wukari LGA of Taraba State and Nasarawa LGA of Nasarawa State as well as Numan LGA of Adamawa State. During the operations, troops arrested 3 criminals and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. a. Arrest Operations.
He added that troops responded to information on activities of violent extremists in Wamba and Logo LGAs of Nasarawa and Benue State respectively.
He said, during the operations, troops arrested 4 criminals and recovered 15 cartridges and one cam trouser, also troops while on fighting patrol, raided violent extremist’s camp in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops neutralized one violent extremist and arrested 23 suspects. Troops also recovered 4 AK 47 Rifles with 5 magazines containing 80 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 15 live cartridges, one pistol, 2 locally made guns, 28 cutlasses, 48 daggers and 11 motorcycles.
The Director said, 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 Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 253,330 litres of stolen crude oil, 42,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,100 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 220 crude oil cooking ovens, 23 dugout pits, 2 boats, 17 storage tanks, 7 drums and 24 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include one pumping machine, 3 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 2 vehicles among others.
"Troops intercepted and arrested 7 criminals and rescued 2 victims in Onelga and Ahoada West LGAs of Rivers State and Biase LGA of Cross River State as well as Isoko South LGA of Delta State.
"Troops recovered one locally fabricated pistol with stolen pipes amongst others.c. Offensive Ops. On 30 January 2025, following reports on activities of Drugs dealers in Obot Akara LGA of Akwa Ibom State. Troops raided and arrested 2 drug dealers with over 20Kg of cannabis in Obot Akara LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
He said that troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East intercepted and arrested 3 criminals in Emene LGA of Enugu State and Dunukofia LGA of Anambra State. As well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State. During the operations, troops recovered explosive materials and a vehicle loaded with 29 gas cylinders.
"Troops in separate offensive operation made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Ihiala and Njokoka LGAs of Anambra State as well as Oniocha and Ishielu LGAs of Ebonyi State. Troops also conducted operation in Orsu and Onuimo LGAs of Imo State. During the operations, troops arrested 2 terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
"Troops recovered 2 AK 47 Rifles, 8 pump action guns, 4 locally made pistol, one dane gun, 101 cartridges, 6 empty mags of AK 47 Rifles, one baofeng radio, 2 motorcycles, and IED making materials while many IEDs where detonated.
The statement reads that all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
