The Nigerian military in conjunction with hybrid forces, ONSA team and security agencies sustained operational tempo in the ongoing counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency, anti-banditry as well as operations against criminal elements across various locations during the week under review.
A statement sighed by the Director Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye disclosed that
troops conducted fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations with resounding outcomes.
General Kangye also said that during various encounters, troops neutralized several terrorists and apprehended scores of them, while some kidnapped victims were rescued. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. Several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions were conducted by theAir Component during the week.
Scores of terrorists were neutralized from 20 – 27 March 2025, while suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 11 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped victims.
Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Five Hundred and Thirty-six Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-five Thousand Seven Hundred and Nine Naira (536,735,709.00) only. The breakdown includes: 392,174 litres of stolen crude oil, 138,757 litres of illegally refined AGO, 830 litres of PMS and 375 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles amongst others.
Similarly, troops recovered huge cache of assorted arms and ammunition during the week. The weapons recovered include; AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, Dane guns, pump action, locally fabricated pistols and RPG tubes amongst others. The ammunitions recovered include; various kinds of 7,62mm ammo as well as RPG bombs.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:
Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 21 – 26 March 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops.
Offensive Operations. Between 21 – 24 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Bama and Metropolitan Municipal Council of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe States respectively. During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, others were apprehended including a senior terrorists fighter identified as Abdullahi Ali who was injured in crossfire, while some kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered RPG tubes, Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, as well as assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Also recovered were AK47 magazines and terrorists’ motorcycles. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. On 21 March 2025, troops intercepted a terrorists’ fighter that was sighted trying to enter troops’ Forward Operational Base perimetre fence in Konduga LGA of Borno State and 7 others in Damboa, Kukawa, Gujba and Michika LGAs of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States respectively. During the operations, some customized AK47 rifle, Extra magazines, vehicles, mobile phones and some household items were recovered from them.
Terrorists Attack on Troops. On 21 March 2025, troops while conducting fighting patrol, came under terrorists’ attack in Metropolitan Municipal Council of Borno State. During the encounter, they successfully repelled the attack and neutralized several of them and also, recovered their weapons. Discovery, Detonation and Recovery of Improvised Explosive Devices. Between 21 – 24 March 2025, our gallant troops, while on fighting patrols, encountered terrorists planted IEDs in Abadam, Biu, Damboa and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. They successfully detonated most of the IEDs and recovered some of them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:
Offensive Operations. Between 20 – 25 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact with terrorists in Isa and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Bukuyyum, Anka and Maradum LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operation was conducted in Danmusa and Kankara LGAs of Katsina State. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, assorted 7.62mm ammunition, boefeng radios, vehicles and motorcycles as well as mobile phones and the sum of N36,500.00 were recovered from them.
Terrorists Activities. From 20 – 26 March 2025, troops with DSS Team responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Sabon Birni and Binji LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Maru, Gusau, Anka and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operations were also conducted in Kafur and Dandi LGs of Katsina and Kebbi States respectively. During the encounters, scores of terrorists were also neutralized, while others were arrested. Some kidnapped victims were also rescued, while arms and assorted kinds of 7.62mm ammunition, extra magazines, including vehicles and motorcycles were recovered from them.
Arrest.On 21 March 2025, following intelligence reports about terrorists’ activities in Suru LGA of Kebbi State, troops arrested 3 of them and recovered one motorcycle.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH
Troops of Op WHIRL PUNCH achieved the following during the week:
Arrests. On 20 – 21 March 2025, troops, following credible report arrested 4 suspected criminals in Kabba and Kaiama LGAs of Kogi and kwara States as well as Tofa LGA of Kano State. troops recovered AK47 rifle, ammunitions and 2 motorcycles from them. Offensive Operations. Between 21 – 25 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols in Etsako East Esan North and Ovia South LGAs of Edo State as well as Baruten LGA of Kwara State. In Kabba and Lokoja LGAs of Kogi State, troops raided criminals’ hideout. During combat, 3 terrorists were neutralized while 4 were arrested. Recovered from them were locally fabricated rifles with some quantity of 7.62mm ammunition and live cartridges as well as a vehicle and motorcycles.Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 21 – 24 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Mayo Balwa and Lamurde LGAs of Adamawa State as well as Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State. During the operations, 5 kidnappers/criminals were arrested while 3 hostages were rescued. AK47 rifle, some quantities of 7.62mm ammunition, live cartridges and vehicles were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
Arrests. Between 20 – 25 March2025, troops while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Mangu, Jema’a, Jos North, Riyom Jos South, Wase and Bokkos LGAs of Pateaau State as well as Sanga and Jema’a LGAs of Kaduna State. During te operations, Score of extremists and criminals were neutralized, arrest was also initiated where 2 criminals identified as Danlami Alamba and Joshua Markus were arrested, while 4 kidnapped victims were also rescued. Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, ammunitions, a vehicle and motorcycles were recovered from them.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 21 and 25 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about kidnapers/violent extremists’ activities in Tafawa Balewa and Kauru LGAs of Bauchi and Kaduna states respectively. During the operations, 2 kidnappers/criminals were arrested while one hostage was rescued. An AK47 rifle, some quantities of 7.62mm ammunition and a motorcycle were recovered. Offensive Operations. Between 21 – 25 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Mangu, Bokkos and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State where both land and air components of the operation engaged extremists’ stronghold at Baba Camp and other places. Additionally, they conducted operations in Jama’a and kauru LGAs of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, our gallant troops neutralized several extremists, arrested 4 and rescued 2 kidnapped victims. Items recovered from the criminals includes; Ak47 rifle, dane guns, locally fabricated rifles and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as motorcycles and rustle cattle.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review:
Offensive Operation. On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists and made contact in Buruku and Ukum LGAs of Benue State as well as Takum LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, gallant troops neutralized some extremists and recovered arms and ammunition.Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 20 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ attacked a community in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State. On rival, troops restored normalcy and recovered AK47 rifle, dane gun and some quantities of 7.62mm ammunition.
Arrests. On 20 – 21 March 2025, troops, following credible report arrested 4 suspected criminals including a gunrunner indentified as Alhaji Mansur Mohammed in Gashaka, Donga and Wukari LGAs of Taraba. Troops recovered AK rifle, ammunitions and 2 motorcycles from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the period under review.
Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 392,174 litres of stolen crude oil, 138,757 litres of illegally refined AGO and 830 litres of PMS while 375 litres of DPK was also recovered. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles.
Furthermore, 11 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition as well as dynamites were also recovered. Arrest. On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Onelga and Itsako South LGAs of Rivers and Delta States respectively. During the operations, they arrested criminals and recovered vehicle, motorcycles, stolen gas cylinder and other household items.Offensive Operations. On 21 and 22 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Oshimili South, Sapele Delta State as well as Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers State. During the operations, troops arrested 6 criminals including a suspected kidnapping kingpin identified as Ebiowei. They recovered one locally made pistol and live cartridges abandoned by a criminal.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 22 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. On arrival, troops rescued 2 kidnapped hostages and recovered one vehicle.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review: Offensive Operations. On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops during offensive operations in Igbariam LGA of Anambra State and Owerri Municipal LGA of Imo State. During the operations, troops arrested 3 suspected terrorists/kidnapper and rescued 4 attempted kidnapped victims. They also recovered some arms and ammunition, including several IEDs and live cartridges. A vehicle and tricycle were also recovered.
Arrest. From 20 – 25 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Isiala Mbano, Ahiazu Mbaise LGAs of Imo State as well as Udenu and Amorji Nike Enugu East LGAs of Enugu State. During the operations, many extremists were arrested while one pump action, live cartridges and some quantities of illicit drugs were recovered.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 20 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about kidnaping activities in Ukwa East GA of Abia State. On arrival, troops arrested the suspects and rescued the victim. They further recovered one locally made pistol, loaded with live cartridges and a tricycle.
The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.
(Century News)
