The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has shared an update on its ongoing fight against insecurity, revealing that troops operating across various theatres in the country have neutralised several terrorists, recovered weapons, and rescued multiple kidnapped victims.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
He said the operations were aimed at flushing out criminals and creating a safe environment for farming and other lawful activities, following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the DHQ, troops, working with hybrid forces and other security agencies, sustained aggressive offensives across the country between May 8 and May 15.
“As part of its mandate, the military launched several key operations during the week with renewed vigour aimed at combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminal activities that threaten our communities.
“These operations are strategically designed and executed to ensure the safety of our people and the restoration of peace in affected regions.
“Accordingly, I am pleased to give an update on the significant progress in our operations conducted from May 8 to May 15.
“Within the period under review, troops successfully destroyed several terrorists’ camps as well as rescued kidnapped victims and rehabilitated civilians affected by the conflict,” he said.
In Niger State, two wanted terrorist collaborators, Zakari Abubakar and Aliyu Musa, were arrested in Suleja and Borgu Local Government Areas, while an arms courier, Rufai Abdullahi, was apprehended in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Recovered during the operations were various arms and ammunition, motorcycles, mobile phones, tricycles, vehicles, and locally fabricated guns, as well as pumping and drilling machines.
“Items recovered within the period under review include arms and ammunition, monies, locally fabricated guns, motorcycles, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, mobile phones, and vehicles,” Maj.-Gen. Kangye added.
In the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai carried out raids and clearance missions in parts of Borno State including Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, and Damboa killing several terrorists and rescuing 17 kidnap victims.
They also reportedly recovered grenades, extra magazines, and assorted ammunition.
The North-West also recorded success, as troops under Operation Fansan Yamma neutralised terrorists and rescued 129 victims across Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
Meanwhile, in the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe troops foiled oil theft attempts worth over ₦103 million.
Recovered items included 68,875 litres of stolen crude oil, 31,166 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO), and 2,250 litres of kerosene (DPK).
Troops also destroyed 18 illegal refining sites, 16 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, and several boats, drums, and tanks used for storing stolen products.
“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and seven vehicles,” he added.
