DHQ: Military Releases 75 Rehabilitated Terrorists to Borno Govt, Arrests 14 Others
1. The Nigerian military in conjunction with hybrid forces, ONSA team and security agencies continued their offensive against terrorists and other criminal elements in joint operations during the week under review. They conducted fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations with resounding successes.
2. During operations across various theatres, several terrorists were neutralized. Their collaborators were also apprehended, while some kidnapped victims were rescued. The week also witnessed the handover of rehabilitated terrorists to the Borno State Government. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. Several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions were conducted by the Air Component during the week.
3. Between 10 – 20 March 2025, scores of terrorists were neutralized while suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages.
4. In the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Four Hundred and Sixty One Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira (N461,783,868.00) only. The breakdown includes: 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and some vehicles amongst others.
5. In a related development, troops recovered huge cache of assorted arms and ammunition during the week. The weapons recovered include; AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, Dane guns, pump action, locally fabricated pistols and RPG tubes amongst others. The ammunitions recovered include; various kinds of 7,62mm ammo as well as RPG bombs.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EASTOPERATION HADIN KAI
6. Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 10 – 19 March 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 10 – 18 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Gwoza, Dikwa, Chibok, Bama, Konduga, Damboa, Ngazai, Monguno, Abadam and Guzamala LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe States respectively. During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, others were apprehended, while some kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, as well as assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Also recovered were AK47 magazines, IEDs, several unexploded ordnance devices as well as 2 vehicles and terrorists’ motorcycles.
c. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. From 11 – 16 March 2025, troops intercepted and arrested 14 terrorist collaborators in Dikwa, Damboa, Gubio LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operations, some customized IED batteries, large quantities of PMS, engine oils, some mobile phones and large quantities of household items were recovered from them.
d. Handover of Rescued Persons. On 10 March 2025, troops handed over a total of 75 persons comprising 7 adult males, 34 adult females and 34 children to the representatives of Borno State Government in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.
JOINT TASK FORCENORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
7. Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:
a. Ambushed Operation. On 10 and 13 March 2025, following intelligence reports about terrorists’ activities in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State as well as Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, troops sprang ambushes against the terrorists. During the encounters, some of the terrorists were neutralized, while some arms and ammunition as well as mobile phones were recovered from them.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 10 – 19 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Gwadabawa, Tangaza and Gudu LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Kaura Namoda and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operation was conducted in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized including a senior terrorists fighter identified as Babangida in Kinpin Dan Sa’adi enclave in Kaura Namoda and arrested others. Troops also recovered some AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, and cache of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, as well as motorcycles and mobile phones from them.
c. Terrorists Activities. From 12 – 16 March 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Shanga and Bukkuyum LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Faskari, Danmusa and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina and Kebbi States respectively. Similar operations were also conducted in Tangaza and Gudu LGAs of Sokoto State. During the encounters, scores of terrorists were also neutralized, while others were arrested. Some kidnapped victims were also rescued, while arms and assorted kinds of 7.62mm ammunition, including vehicles and motorcycles were recovered from them.
d. Arrest of Terrorists. On 13 March 2025, following intelligence reports, troops apprehended 2 suspected terrorists that have been on the watch list and one gunrunner identified as Shehu Bagiwaye in Gudu and Gusau LGAs of Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH
8. Troops of Op WHIRL PUNCH achieved the following during the week:
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a. Offensive Operations. On 14 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols in Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State as well as Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State. During combat, some terrorists were arrested. Recovered from them were locally fabricated rifles with some quantity of 7.62mm ammunition as well as 2 motorcycles.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 14 and 17 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Terrritory and Esan North East LGA of Edo State. During the operations, 3 kidnappers were arrested while 2 hostages were rescued. One locally fabricated rifle, some live cartridges and the sum of N17,900.00 were recovered.
c. Arrests. From 12 – 17 March 2025, troops, following credible report arrested 17 suspected criminals in Yagba West and Kabba LGAs of Kogi State as well as Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT troops recovered 2 mobile phones and the sum of N9,000.00 were recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
9. During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
a. Receipt of Weapon. On 11 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, received an Ak 47 rifle from Sarkin Bangan in Kanam LGA of Plateau State. The rifle was allegedly found in a farmland abandoned by extremists.
b. Arrest of Suspected Gunrunner. On 12 March 2025, troops while on stop and search operation in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State intercepted a notorious gunrunner identified as Mr Sengi David. The criminal was apprehended with some rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and one AK 47 magazine in his possession.
c. Offensive Operations. Between 12 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Jos South LGA of Plateau State. Following a fire fight and in an attempt to disarm a soldier, some extremists were neutralized while 2 others were arrested. Items recovered from the criminals includes; an Ak47 rifle and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
10. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review:
a. Offensive Operation. On 12 and 14 March 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists and made contact in Zaki-Biam and Akwanga LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa States respectively. During the operations, gallant troops neutralized some extremists and their cohorts identified as Abdullahi (aka Honour), Jagaban and Dan Danger among others. While searching their hideout, some arms and assorted ammunition as well as mobile phones, motorcycles, ATM cards, ID cards, SIM cards, POS machines and assorted charms were recovered.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Between 14 – 16 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Takum, Bali, Lau and Yorro LGAs of Taraba State as well as Akwanga LGA of Nasawara State. During the operations, scores of extremists were neutralized, some suspected kidnappers were arrested, while 4 hostages were rescued. Troops recovered some arms and ammunition as well as vehicles and motorcycles from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
11. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the period under review.
a. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 17 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition as well as one extra magazine were also recovered.
b. Offensive Operations. On 13 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Nembe and Yenagoa LGAs of Bayelsa State as well as Ughelli, Wari North and Ethiope East LGAs of Delta State. During the operations, troops arrested 6 criminals and recovered some arms and ammunition from them.
JOINT TASK FORCESOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
13. Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review:
a. Offensive Operations. From 13 – 18 March 2025, troops during offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Ihiala and Ogbaru LGAs of Anambra State as well as Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized some fighters of the terrorists, arrested others and rescued a kidnapped victim. They also recovered some arms and ammunition, including several IEDs and live cartridges.
b. Arrest. On 14 and 16 March 2025, troops and NDLEA team while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Aninri and Enugu North LGAs of Enugu State as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State. They also conducted similar operations in Afikpo North and Ogbaru LGAs of Ebonyi and Anambra States respectively. During the operations, many extremists were arrested while a locally made pistol and live cartridges were recovered.
CLOSING REMARKS
16. The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.
Signed
MARKUS KANGYE
Major General
20 March 2025 Director Defence Media Operations
