By Deborah Nnamdi
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that Nigerian troops have killed scores of terrorists, arrested 86 criminals—including terrorists, collaborators, and oil thieves—and rescued 26 kidnapped victims across the country within the past week.
According to Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, troops also foiled oil theft worth over N13.4 million, seizing 12,350 litres of crude oil, 840 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 1,350 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK). They dismantled two illegal refinery sites and impounded 12 large crude oil smuggling boats, six crude oil cooking ovens, four dugout pits, and five storage tanks, arresting three oil thieves in the process.
In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by air and hybrid forces, carried out raids on Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists between October 16 and 23 in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. The operations led to the death of numerous terrorists, the arrest of 13 suspects, and the rescue of three kidnapped victims, along with the recovery of weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.
Similarly, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West engaged terrorists in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states, killing several insurgents, arresting 11 suspects, and rescuing 14 kidnapped victims.
In the North Central region, Operation Enduring Peace troops neutralized extremists in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi states, arresting 24 suspects and rescuing three victims. During a raid on October 19 in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, troops recovered weapons from the home of a wanted extremist leader, Alhaji Muhammed Sule, also known as MP, who remains at large.
In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe disrupted oil theft operations worth ₦13.4 million, seized stolen petroleum products, and dismantled illegal refining sites. Related raids in Delta State between October 12 and 22 led to the arrest of seven criminals.
In the South East, troops of Operation Udoka conducted security operations across Imo, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi states from October 17 to 23, arresting 12 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), rescuing three kidnapped victims, and recovering weapons, ammunition, and vehicles.
Major General Kangye commended the troops for their professionalism and reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to ensuring peace and security nationwide. He assured Nigerians that the DHQ would continue to provide timely updates on ongoing military operations.
