In a remarkable display of military strength, Nigerian troops have successfully neutralized 115 terrorists, arrested 289 suspects, and rescued 138 kidnap victims over the course of the past week.
These efforts also led to the disruption of illegal oil operations, with the military dismantling oil theft operations worth ₦921.84 million.
Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, shared these achievements during a Thursday briefing, underscoring the ongoing and widespread military campaigns aimed at curbing insecurity across the country.
In the South-East, troops neutralized six terrorists, arrested 13 suspects, and rescued one hostage. Recovered items included five AK-47 rifles, eight pump-action guns, and fabricated hand grenades.
In the North-East, operations in Borno and Yobe states resulted in the neutralization of 61 terrorists, the arrest of 34 suspects, and the rescue of 32 hostages. The military also seized 17 AK-47 rifles, PKT guns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. In the North-West, security forces neutralized 28 terrorists, arrested 77 suspects, and rescued 57 hostages. The operation led to the recovery of 16 AK-47 rifles, explosives, and over ₦7.2 million in cash. In the North-Central, in Plateau and Kaduna states, 40 hostages were rescued, 27 suspects arrested, and a cache of arms, ammunition, motorcycles, and mobile phones was seized.
In a focused campaign against economic sabotage in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe achieved significant milestones, including the destruction of 56 illegal refining sites and 78 crude oil cooking ovens. The operation also led to the recovery of 872,070 liters of stolen crude oil and 67,985 liters of illicitly refined diesel. Furthermore, 40 suspects were arrested, along with the seizure of boats, speedboats, and storage tanks.
Troops also carried out successful air interdiction operations targeting terrorist strongholds in Katsina and Zamfara states, leading to significant losses for the enemy. Military officials reiterated their commitment to deploying innovative strategies aimed at minimizing casualties while intensifying efforts against criminal elements across the country.
General Buba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for citizens, acknowledging the sacrifices made by personnel in the fight against terrorism and economic sabotage. “The military remains mission-focused and committed to defeating threats across the country,” Buba said. “We strive to minimize casualties while upholding our duty to protect lives and property.”
