By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters on Tuesday said troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria recorded far-reaching operational successes across the country within the year, neutralising top terrorist commanders, rescuing thousands of kidnapped victims and crippling criminal networks through sustained military operations in all theatres.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this while presenting a comprehensive press briefing on the conduct, outcomes and evolving dynamics of ongoing military operations nationwide. He said the operations were aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty, protecting lives and property and responding decisively to complex and asymmetric security threats.
According to him, the Armed Forces, in collaboration with other security agencies, conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to counter terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other forms of criminality, while also maintaining transparency and keeping the public informed of military efforts.
Major General Onoja revealed that within the year under review, troops neutralised several high-profile terrorist commanders, their lieutenants and foot soldiers, dealing severe blows to the leadership and operational capacity of terror and criminal groups. Among those eliminated were Aminu Kanawa, Dan Bokolo, Bello Buba, Dan Inna, Halilu Sabubu, Abu Dan Shehu Jabbi, Dogo Bashiru Yellow, Abba Allai, also known as Amirul Khalid of Alafa, Amir Abu Fatimah, Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Malla Jidda, Talha, Mallam Umar, Abu Yazeed, Kabiru Bebe, Maiwada, Mai Dada and Nwachi Eze, also known as Onowu. Others included bandits identified by the pseudonyms Dosso, Suleiman, Jagaban and Danja.
He said troops arrested 4,375 suspects nationwide, received the surrender of 1,616 terrorists and their family members, and rescued 2,336 kidnapped victims across the various theatres of operation.
In the North East, Major General Onoja said the security situation remained relatively stable despite continued threats from Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State of West Africa Province. He explained that while the groups had been significantly degraded, they continued to attempt isolated attacks and deploy improvised explosive devices. During the year, troops arrested 1,323 suspects, rescued 498 kidnapped hostages, recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles, equipment and N32 million in cash, and destroyed several terrorist camps and hideouts. He added that these operations restored confidence, revived agricultural and commercial activities and supported the return of civil authorities and displaced persons.
In the North West, he said troops confronted Lakurawa terrorists, Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, as well as armed bandits and kidnappers who exploited porous borders and difficult terrain. Troops neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested 669 suspects and rescued 966 abducted victims, while recovering weapons, ammunition and large sums of money. He highlighted precision air strikes conducted against Islamic State enclaves in the Bauni Forest area of Sokoto State, where 16 GPS-guided munitions deployed via MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles neutralised foreign and local ISIS operatives infiltrating from the Sahel. He noted that although debris landed in parts of Sokoto and Kwara states, no civilian casualties were recorded.
Major General Onoja said the North Central zone faced armed banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling, farmers-herders clashes and arms proliferation. Despite these challenges, troops arrested arms traffickers, recovered weapons and sustained dominance across the region. He disclosed that troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 802 suspects and rescued 217 kidnapped victims, while Operation Whirl Stroke recorded the arrest of 459 suspects, the rescue of 538 hostages and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
In the South South, he described oil theft and pipeline vandalism as major security and economic threats. He said troops of Operation Delta Safe neutralised criminal elements, arrested 778 suspects and rescued 53 kidnapped victims. They also thwarted oil theft valued at N8.918 billion, recovered over 16.6 million litres of stolen crude oil and large volumes of illegally refined petroleum products, destroyed 503 illegal refining sites and recovered assorted weapons and ammunition.
In the South East, Major General Onoja said intensified operations against the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its Eastern Security Network led to a significant decline in criminal activities. Troops of Operation Udo Ka neutralised several extremists, arrested 324 suspects, rescued over 64 kidnapped persons and recovered weapons and ammunition, forcing remaining elements to retreat into remote areas.
Concluding, he said the Defence Headquarters was closely monitoring the movement of terrorists displaced by military pressure and had intensified intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance activities to prevent infiltration into communities. He urged citizens to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies, while reaffirming the Armed Forces’ commitment to denying criminal elements freedom of action.
Major General Onoja commended the bravery and professionalism of troops across all theatres and conveyed assurances from the Chief of Defence Staff that personnel welfare remains a top priority, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would redouble efforts in 2026 to confront terrorism and other security threats across the country.
