Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Defence Headquarters has said that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have killed 151 terrorists and rescued 154 kidnap victims in various operations across the country in the last week.
It said 296 suspects were arrested for terrorism, oil theft, and gunrunning, among other crimes. The operations were conducted between May 31 and June 6, 2025.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, DDMO, Maj. Gen. MG Kangye, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He noted that the troops also recovered 219 assorted weapons and 6,288 rounds of ammunition during the period under review.
North-East (Operation HADIN KAI): Boko Haram, ISWAP Fighters Surrender as Troops Rescue Dozens
“In the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 70 terrorists, arrested 143 suspects, and rescued 58 kidnapped persons,” Kangye said.
He added, “The air component conducted air interdiction and close air support missions in support of ground operations. Notably, air strikes targeted and destroyed terrorist logistics in Gwoza and Timbuktu Triangle in Borno State. Several terrorists were neutralised in the process.”
He also disclosed that 165 Boko Haram and ISWAP members and their families, comprising 29 adult males, 56 adult females, and 80 children, surrendered to troops during the week.
North-West (Operation FASAN YAMMA): Troops Foil Kidnappings, Nab Terror Collaborators
“In the North-West, troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA neutralised 40 terrorists, arrested 70 persons, and rescued 44 kidnapped hostages,” the defence spokesperson said.
He noted that the troops acted on intelligence and engaged terrorists in fierce gun battles across Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kaduna states. He added that multiple foiled kidnap attempts were recorded and several hideouts were destroyed.
North-Central (Operation SAFE HAVEN): Extremists Neutralized, Kidnappings Foiled in Plateau, Kaduna
“In the North-Central region, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralised 19 terrorists, arrested 55 violent extremists, and rescued nine kidnapped civilians,” the director stated.
He mentioned that the operations in Plateau and parts of southern Kaduna dismantled cells of criminal gangs involved in ethnic violence and arms smuggling.
North-Central (Operation WHIRL STROKE): Troops Raid Hideouts, Recover Arms in Benue Axis
“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralised four terrorists, arrested 10 suspects, and rescued two kidnapped victims across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Kogi States,” he said.
He emphasized that precision strikes and cordon-and-search operations led to the recovery of rifles, locally made arms, and explosives from militia camps.
South-South (Operation DELTA SAFE): Military Destroys 18 Illegal Refineries, Recovers ₦31.4m Worth of Stolen Crude
“In the South-South, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE discovered and destroyed 18 illegal refining sites and arrested 12 suspected oil thieves,” he revealed.
According to the director, the troops recovered stolen crude estimated at ₦31.4 million, dismantled dozens of storage tanks, and destroyed stolen crude transport boats.
South-South (Anti-Crime Operations): Troops Arrest 16, Recover Arms and Stolen Property
“Troops also conducted anti-crime operations across Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States, arresting 16 suspected criminals and recovering arms, stolen goods, and illicit drugs,” he added.
South-East (Operation UDO KA): Criminal Hideouts Dismantled, Weapons Seized in Ebonyi, Anambra
“In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested two suspected criminals and recovered one pump-action gun, one double-barrel gun, and 16 cartridges in Ebonyi and Anambra States,” Kangye concluded.
