The Nigerian military troops between 5 February – 13 March 2025 intercepted 675,266 litres of stolen crude oil, 312,593 litres of illegally refined AGO, 4,500 litres of DPK, apprehended 31 perpetrators of oil theft, destroyed 56 illegal refining sites, rescued 61 kidnapped hostages and neutralized 74 terrorists while 130 suspected others were arrested.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye on Thursday revealed this in a press statement made available to SpyeTV News in Abuja on weekly review of conducted joint operations of land component of the Armed Forces with the ONSA Team, security agencies and hybrid forces.
According to Maj. Gen Kangye these operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations. 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.
He revealed that in the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about One Billion, Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Nine Hundred and One Naira (N1,008,750,901.00) only.
He said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE had continued to maintain momentum against activities of crude oil thieves. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Details as follows:
Troops recovered 675,266 litres of stolen crude oil, 312,593 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,500 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 51 crude oil cooking ovens, 49 dugout pits, 43 boats, 28 storage tanks, 131 drums and 56 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 4 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 3 motorcycles, 7 mobile phones and 8 vehicles. Additionally, 31 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, 11 and 103 assorted arms and ammunition as well as 3 extra magazines were also recovered among others.
From 5 – 10 March 2025, troops responded to information about ongoing criminality activities in Bakassi and Onelga LGA of Cross River and Rivers States as well as Warri South, Sapele Uvwie and Ughelli LGAs of Delta State. During the operations, 11 suspected criminals were arrested, while 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. One vehicle, 3 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and the sum of N108,500 were also recovered from them.
On 9 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Ethiope West and Yakur LGAs of Delta and Rivers states respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 3 criminals and recovered 2 motorcycles.
Maj Gen Kangye also added that the Air Component of the Operation DELTA SAFE conducted patrols and air reconnaissance missions during the week under review. The missions were conducted over Imo River, Owaza, Ohaji/Egbema and Abacheke general areas as well as Nembe, Okpokiri, Tomkiri, Brass and Belema axis. These missions aided successes in destruction of illegal refining sites, boats, vehicles and tricycles among other equipment.
In the North East between 6 February - 12 March 2025, a total of 143 terrorists comprising 5 adult males, 66 adult females and 72 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops. one of the terrorists surrendered with 2 AK47 rifle, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 magazines.
On 5 and 8 March 2025, troops in conjunction with NDLEA team intercepted and arrested 6 terrorist collaborators in Ngala, Bama and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, 2 mobile phone, 10 Starlink Wifi network devices and the sum of N13,000.00 were recovered from them.
On 8 March 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities, intended to kidnap some villagers in Chibok LGA of Borno State. On arrival, they apprehended 3 terrorists and rescue 11 hostages. Troops also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one pump action, 27 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16 cartridges, 2 magazines and 3 motorcycles.
in the North West Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA on 4 March 2025, troops while on clearance operations at Bagega Forest in Anka LGA of Zamfara State, rescued 9 kidnapped victims who were held hostage for over 3 months.
From 6 - 10 March 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities in Anka and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Danmusa and Arewa LGAs of Katsina and Kebbi States respectively. During the encounter, 3 terrorists were neutralized, 2 were arrested, while 5 victims were rescued.
During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted multiple air interdiction missions in coordination with ground troops and cleared Nagogo’s enclave in Dunya Hill, Danmusa LGA of Katsina. Battle Damage Assessment and feedback from locals revealed that several terrorists were neutralized, while their equipment and structures were destroyed
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN in the North Central between 5 - 11 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists’ in Barkin Ladi, Jos North, Riyom, Kanam and Bassa LGAs of plateau State as well as Jema’a and Kaura LGAs of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, 6 extremists were neutralized, 11 criminals were arrested and 22 kidnapped victims were rescued
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the North central On 8 March 2025, troops, following credible report arrested 5 suspected criminals in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT as well as Ondo west and Kaiama LGAs of Ondo and Kwara States respectively. Similarly, 2 kidnappers and some terrorist informant’s were arrested in Borgu and Lokoja LGAs of Niger and Kogi States. They also recovered one AK47 rifle, one locally fabricated rifle and 48 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
On 8 March 2025, troops in conjunction wih ONSA and NATIP teams apprehended a child trafficker with one year old female baby in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in the north central on 10 and 11 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Nasarawa and Karu LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Takum LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, 2 extremists were neutralized and 2 kidnappers were arrested, while 2 hostages were rescued. Troops recovered 2 AK47 rifles, one locally fabricated rifle, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and 2 motorcycles.
Troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East on 9 March 2025, troops during offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Mbatoli and Okigwe LGA of Imo state as well as Ihiala LGAs of Anambra State. Following a fire fight, one extremist was neutralized, 2 pump action guns and 11 live cartridges were recovered while their shrines and equipment were destroyed.
On 10 March 2025, troops came under IPOB/ESN extremists attack in Orsu LGA of Imo State but successfully repelled the attack and neutralized one as well as recovered his weapon.
Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to relevant authorities for further action.
During the week under review, the Air Component of Operation UDO KA conducted air missions to Obinze in Imo State, the mission was extended to Ebonyi State covering Ivo, Ohaozara, Ikwo, Ezza South and their adjoining settlements. The missions has significantly reduced IPOB/ESN terrorists and other criminality activities that is disrupting peace and order in the region.
Maj.General Kangye therefore reassured that the gallant men and women of the Armed Forves of Nigeria 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.