By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s Armed Forces have intensified their campaign against insecurity, unleashing one of the most forceful nationwide offensives in recent months and recording sweeping gains across all theatres of operation. In a series of coordinated actions spanning November 2025, troops neutralised scores of terrorists and criminal kingpins, rescued 318 kidnapped victims, and disrupted oil theft operations valued at over ₦229 million, marking one of the most significant operational breakthroughs of the year.
The impressive results were unveiled by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during the monthly operational briefing held on Wednesday at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja. Presenting a detailed account of the armed forces’ activities, Major General Onoja disclosed that from the terror-plagued forests of the North East to the heavily polluted creeks of the Niger Delta, the military sustained unrelenting pressure on armed groups, systematically dismantling camps, destroying logistics hubs, and forcing dozens of criminals to surrender. According to him, more than 69 terrorists and their family members surrendered within the period under review, while others were killed or apprehended during intelligence-driven ground and air raids conducted across various operational zones.
In the North East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai maintained intensified pressure on Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements. Between 27 November and 3 December, coordinated ground assaults and precision air operations swept through Mafa, Ngala, Ngazai, Konduga, Bama, Askira Uba and Chibok LGAs in Borno State, as well as Madagali and Song LGAs in Adamawa State. Troops neutralised several fighters, arrested six collaborators and informants, and rescued five kidnap victims alive. Numerous arms, vehicles, ammunition and motorcycles were recovered while multiple terrorist hideouts were destroyed. Air force fighter jets delivered devastating strikes at Dikwa, New Marte and Gajibo, pounding ISWAP fortifications and crippling their mobility.
A major wave of success was also recorded in the North West and parts of the North Central under Operation Fansan Yamma, where troops stormed entrenched bandit corridors in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi States. Between 27 November and 3 December, 13 terrorists were arrested, several others eliminated, and nine kidnapped victims freed during engagements in Anka, Maradun, Talata Mafara, Wurno, Sabon Birni, Batsari, Kankara, Kankiya, Shanono, Tsanyawa, Birnin Kudu, Jahun, Danko Wasagu, Dandi, Kebbe, Zuru and Bagudu. Airstrikes demolished camps belonging to notorious bandit commanders, including the enclave of Sanusi Ikku in Kankara, where scores of criminals were neutralised and their logistics infrastructure obliterated.
Troops under Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke advanced further in the North Central region, conducting decisive operations across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kaduna, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory. More extremists were neutralised, 48 suspects were arrested, and 30 kidnap victims were rescued in Pankshin, Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Mangu, Bokkos, Ukum, Gwer West, Katsina-Ala, Lokoja, Kabba-Bunu, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kwali. Troops recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles and motorcycles during the raids, dismantling several criminal cells responsible for persistent violence in the region.
In the South-South, troops under Operation Delta Safe dealt a substantial blow to oil theft syndicates by foiling illegal operations valued at ₦12.1 million. Across Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers and Imo States, troops shut down four illegal refineries, arrested 25 suspects, and recovered over 11,850 litres of stolen crude oil and 540 litres of automotive gas oil. Armed criminals guarding the sites were neutralised, and their equipment destroyed, disrupting the operations of cartel networks that have long sabotaged national oil assets.
The South East also witnessed renewed military pressure under Operation Udo Ka. Troops conducted ground raids across Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Cross River States, neutralising several terrorists, arresting four suspects, and rescuing four kidnapped victims. Improvised explosive device materials, arms, vehicles and ammunition were recovered from hideouts. Precision airstrikes in Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State, wiped out multiple terror camps following sustained rocket and cannon bombardments.
Across all theatres, the military recorded significant success in disrupting oil theft operations valued at over ₦217.6 million nationwide, shutting down 16 illegal refining sites, recovering 201,700 litres of crude oil and 88,177 litres of automotive gas oil.
Reassuring Nigerians of continued commitment, Major General Onoja confirmed that the Armed Forces are deploying every necessary measure to rescue the remaining abducted students and reunite them with their families. He encouraged citizens to continue providing actionable intelligence and urged Nigerians to support military veterans by purchasing the Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem recently launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Commending the resilience and bravery of Nigerian troops, Major General Onoja reiterated that the military remains unwavering in its resolve to defend the nation. “The Armed Forces remain fully committed to operating within the law while crushing all threats to national security,” he said.
As December unfolds, the message from Nigeria’s battlefields is clear and emphatic: the fight against insecurity has entered a more aggressive, no-nonsense phase, one in which the Armed Forces are advancing, not retreating, until peace is restored to every troubled part of the country.
