The Defence Headquarters on Thursday has revealed that between 3 January - 13 February 2025, a total of 75 terrorists were neutralized while 138 suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 36 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 46 kidnapped hostages.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye disclosed this today at the bi-weekly media briefing on Operational activities and achievements during the week under review, for the land component of the Armed Forces conducted joint operation with the ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces respectively.
Major General Kangye noted that operations include; fighting/confidence-building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.
He said 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.
He noted that the air component also, conducted several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols, as well as air interdiction.
In the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Six Hundred and Forty-six Million, One Hundred and Eighty-nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety Naira (N646,189,690.00) only. The breakdown includes: 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,075 litres of PMS.
Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19 boats, 16 storage tanks, 38 drums and 42 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile hones and 3 vehicles among others.
In related development, troops recovered 104 and 2,639 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 55 AK47 rifles, 20 locally fabricated guns, 8 dane guns, 18 pump action guns, 1,826 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 376 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 366 rounds of 7.62 x 12.7mm ammo, 26 cartridges as well as 14 and 45 assorted arms and ammunition respectively.
Giving update from each geopolitical zone, Major General Kangye revealed that a total of 65 terrorists comprising 12 adult males, 19 adult females and 34 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation.
He said troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 22 terrorists, arrested 13 others and rescued 34 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 12 Ak47 rifles, 2 G3 Rifles, 3 dane guns, 2 fabricated rifles, 102 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 317 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 82 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, one RPG tube, 3 RPG bombs and 11 magazines. Also, 2 aircraft engines, one double barrel cannon gun, 16 missiles and the sum of N58,980.00 only amongst others.
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 58 terrorists, arrested 11 others and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 31 AK47 rifles, 9 fabricated rifles, 2 GPMGs, one RPG tube, 252 Chain link of 12.7mm, 558 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 94 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 12 magazines, 5 boefeng radios, 13 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and the sum of N2,451,820.00 only among others.
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH arrested 51 violent extremists/criminals and recovered 2 fabricated rifles, 34 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammo, 2 vehicles, 20 motorcycles and 24 mobile phones amongst others.
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized one, arrested 51 violent extremists and rescued 11 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 3 AK 47 Rifles, one fabricated rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 4 magazines, 2 vehicles and 7 mobile phones among others.
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 3 violent extremists, arrested 14 and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops recovered 2 AK47 Rifles, one dane gun, one baretta pistol, 2 fabricated rifles, 134 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 3 rounds of 9mm ammo, one magazine, 10 motorcycles and the sum of N2,667,720.00 only.
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,075 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19 boats, 16 storage tanks, 38 drums and 42 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among others.
Troops apprehended 23 suspected oil thieves and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 2 baofeng radios, 2 magazines, 9 assorted arms and 162 assorted ammunitions.
Troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 4 IPOB/ESN terrorists, arrested 6 others and rescued 4 hostages. Troops recovered one FN rifle, one Single Barrel Pump Action gun, one double barrel gun, 2 Pistols, one dane gun, 440 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, 60 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo, 13 magazines, one RPG bomb, 2 hand grenades, 15 IEDs, 33 Boafeng Radios, one binocular, 6 mobile phones and the sum of 46,300.00 only.
Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
The gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles.