NATIONWIDE: Troops Eliminate 92 Terrorists, Nab 111 Criminals, Rescue 75 Civilians
1. During the week under review, land component of the Armed Forces conducted joint operations with the ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces. These operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.
2. In the cause of the operations, they neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. The air component also, conducted several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions.
3. For instance, between 27 February –6 March 2025, a total of 92 terrorists were neutralized while 111 suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 18 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages.
4. In the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Five Hundred and Twenty One Million, Eight Hundred and Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty Naira (N521,802,360.00) only.The breakdown revealed: 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil and 1,920 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 3 tricycles, 5 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 6 vehicles among others.
In a related development, troops recovered 117 and 2,939 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 58 AK47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated guns, 26 dane guns, 7 pump action guns, 4 PKT guns, 2 GPMGs, one QJC W85 gun, one
HK 21 gun, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, 2 RPG tubes and one fabricated 60mm mortar. They also recovered quantity 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other 8 assorted arms.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST)
6. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 27 February – 5 March 2025, a total of 101 terrorists comprising 11 adult males, 39 adult females and 51 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation. one of the terrorists surrendered with one AK47 rifle and 7 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 25 February – 5 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala, Kukawa and Mafa LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operations, over 25 terrorists were neutralized including a terrorists Commander Abba Alai (Amirul Khalid of Alafa), 14 were apprehended, while 7 kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered 19 Ak47 rifles, 7 dane guns, 4 PKT guns, one
HK 21 gun, one QJC W85 gun, 2 GPMGs, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, 2 RPG tubes, one fabricated 60mm mortar, 3 IEDs, 1,249 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 277 rounds of 12.7mm Special ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm x 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 16 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 18 magazines and 12 motorcycles.
c. Arrest of ISWAP Terr Collaborator.
(1) From 26 February – 3 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Force while on offensive patrol intercepted and arrested 13 terrorist collaborators in Biu, Chibok, Monguno, Hawul and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State. One locally fabricated rifle, 106 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one vehicle, 2 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N12,450.00 only were recovered from them.
(2) On 1 March 2025, troops arrested 3 terrorists/herders in Chibok LGA of Borno State as well as Fune LGA of Yobe State. They recovered 2 Ak47 rifles, 44 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14 live cartridges, 2 magazines and the sum of N54,560.00 only.
d. Meeting Engagement. On 28 February 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, had meeting engagement with terrorists in Kukawa LGA of Borno State. Following a fire fight, 3 were neutralized while 2 AK 47 Rifles, one dane
gun, 4 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 106 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (NORTH WEST).
7. Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 27 February – 2 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Maru, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Shiroro and Borgu LGAs of Niger State. Similar operation was also conducted in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. During the combat operations, 11 terrorists were neutralized while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 43 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 197 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines, 34 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones.
b. Terrorists Activities. Between 27 February – 2 March 2025, troops responded to information about BH/ISWAP terrorists activities and made contact in Sabon Birni and Rabah LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operations were conducted in Faskari and Dutsinma LGAs of Katsina State. Also, operations were carried out in Arewa and Chikun LGAs of Kebbi and Kaduna States respectively. During the encounter, 4 terrorists were neutralized, 12 suspected kidnappers were arrested while 19 hostages were rescued. They recovered 5 AK 47 rifles, one locally fabricated rifle, 2 dane guns, 107 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine and 3 motorcycles.
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c.Arrests. From 28 February – 3 March 2025, following intelligence reports, troops intercepted and arrested 4 kidnappers and rescued 9 kidnapped victims in Kaura Namoda, Bukkuyum and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State. 2 Ak47 rifles, 32 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 motorcycles were recovered from them.
AIR INTERDICTION
8. Following confirmatory of terrorists activities at Yusuf Yellow’s Camp in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State on 28 February 2025. the Air Component of Operation FASAN YAMMA conducted air strike on the acquired target with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, while their equipment and structure were destroyed.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
9. In the week under review, troops successfully achieved the following in Operation WHIRL PUNCH:
Arrests. From 25 February – 1 March 2025, troops in conjunction with NDLEA team raided violent extremist/insurgent camps in Alomaboro and Baruten LGAs of Kogi and Kwara States respectively. During the raids, 6 kidnappers/criminals were arrested, while 2 dane guns, one locally made pistol and 16 cartridges were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
10. During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
Arrests. From 26 February – 4 March 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists in Mangu, Riyom, Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf, Sanga and Kaura LGAs of Kaduna State. During the operations, 7extremists were arrested,while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. one fabricated revolver rifle, one dane gun and 21 live cartridges as well as 3 mobile phones were also recovered.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 2 – 3 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Bokkos and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, one extremist was neutralized, 4 suspected kidnappers were arrested while 7 hostages were rescued. One locally fabricated revolver, 9 live cartridges and the sum of N521,000.00 were also recovered.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
11. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 27 February – 1 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Keffi LGA of Nasarawa State as well as Abuja Municipal Area Council of FCT. Operations were also conducted in Lau, Takum and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State as well as Kwande,, Gwer West and Markudi LGAs of Benue State. During the operations, 4 extremists were neutralized, 8 criminals were arrested and 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. Also recovered were 2 Ak47 rifles, 29 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 vehicles and one motorcycle.
b. Violent Extremist/Insurgents Activities. From 29 February – 4 March 2025, following credible report on activities of violent extremists, troops responded and made contact win Gwer East and Ukum and Makurdi LGAs of Benue State as well as Karim Lamido Lau, Takum and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State. During the operations, 3 extremists were neutralized, 7 kidnappers/criminals were arrested, while 3 kidnapped hostages were rescued. 2 AK47 rifles, one locally made rifle, 61 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one magazine were also recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
12. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil thieves. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Details as follows:
a. Troops Destroyed Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,920 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 Illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 3 tricycles, 5 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 6 vehicles among others.
b. Offensive Operations. On 27 and 28 February 2025, troops while on operations cleared Ikot Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State as well as Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State. During the operations, 6 criminals were arrested, one magazine and 6 motorcycles were recovered.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
13. Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review:
c. Offensive Operations. On 28 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State. Following a fire fight, 2 extremists were neutralized while 2 pump action guns, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 IEDs, one vehicle and the sum of N17,500 were recovered.
d. Arrest. On 3 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, intercepted 5 criminals in Onitsha South LGA of Enugu State as well as Umuahia North LGA of Abia State and recovered 2 pump action guns, one locally fabricated rifle, 122 live cartridges, 2 motorcycles and the sum of N8,000.00 only.
14. Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
CLOSING REMARKS
15. The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.
Signed
MARKUS KANGYE
Major General
6 March 2025 Director Defence Media Operations
