The significant progress in Nigerian military operations conducted from 15 – 22 May 25 has resulted in the destruction of 18 illegal refining sites, and foiling of oil theft worth over Five Hundred and Thirty Three Million Five Hundred and nine Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty Naira (N533, 509,520.00) only and 51 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
Major General Markus Kangye, the Director Defence Media Operations revealed in a press statement on Saturday that the troops of Operation DELTA SAFE discovered and destroyed 45 crude oil cooking ovens, 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 37 storage tanks, 11 drums and recovered 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined AGO and 350 litres of DPK.
He added that other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore,
He said These operations are strategically designed and executed to ensure the safety of our people and the restoration of peace in affected regions.
Major General Markus Kangye gave the comprehensive update of the major successes in continuation of the ongoing fight against terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country, troops of AFN, hybrid forces and other security agencies as they sustained its joint offensive operations within all theatres across the country.
He affirmed that troops of Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of Gen Christopher Gwabim Musa OFR is determined, poised and not resting on its oars as the AFN is not negotiating its resolve to restore peace to troubled region while taking care of troops welfare most importantly.
"As part of our constitutional mandate, we have launched several key operations aimed at combating insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of criminal activities that threaten our communities.
"The AFN remains focused in our determination to defeat terrorism, banditry and other criminalities in the country in order to ensure the safety of all Nigerians. Against this backdrop, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is calling on all law abiding citizens to go about their daily activities without fear of intimidation. We solicit continued sharing of credible information with our troops in order to enhance our operations.
During the week in focus, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. From 15 - 21 May 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males and females as well as children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightened up during the week.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 15 - 20 May 2025, troops in conjunction with security agencies and Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Bama, Kukawa, Abadam and Damboa LGAs of Borno State, as well as Madagali and Gujba LGAs of Adamawa and Yobe States respectively. During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, while 14 kidnapped victims were rescued. They also recovered cache of arms and ammunition as well as mortar bombs, locally made IEDs/IED making materials, extra magazines, hand held radios and equipment.
c. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. Troops arrested 13 terrorists’ logistics suppliers in well-coordinated operations conducted in Monguno and Maidguri Metropolitan Council and Monguno LGA of Borno State as well as Damatru LGA of Yobe State on 15 - 19 May 2025. Amongst the items recovered where IED making materials, large quantities of nitrogen filled in cylinders and motorcycle spares, while the sum of N106,000.00 was also recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
5. Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following within the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 15 - 19 May 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact with terrorists in Gusau and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Matazu and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. They also conducted operations in Tangaza and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized, while 11 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons as well as assorted ammunition, vehicles, handheld radios and motorcycles were also recovered. Troops further destroyed a terrorists kingpin camp known as Sule Jedi at Marhaba Forest in Matazu LGA of Katsina State.
b. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Malumfashi and Sabuwa LGAs of Katsina State as well as Maru, and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State. They also conducted operations in Rabah and Arewa LGAs of Sokoto and Kebbi States from 15 - 18 May 2025. During the encounters, troops neutralized some terrorists and rescued over 14 kidnapped victims.
c. Arrest. Similarly, troops acting on tip-off arrested 4 terrorist collaborators and neutralized one while attempting to disarm own personnel in Dan Wasagu and Sule Tankarkar LGAs of Kebbi and Jigawa States on 15 and 19 May 2025 respectively. They recovered motorcycles, mobile phones and the sum of N2,557,300.00 from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
6. During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
a. Offensive Operations. From 15 - 18 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Wase, Mangu and Barkin Lady LGAs of Plateau State. During the encounters, our gallant troops neutralized some extremists, arrested 3 and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
b. Arrest. From 16 - 20 May 2025, troops acting on a tip-off arrested 15 suspected criminals/kidnappers in Bokkos, Jos North, Riyom and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State. Also, troops arrested 3 foreign Fulani migrants and 2 Chadians who claimed to be working with international company in Jos North LGA of Plateau State. The suspects were handed over to appropriate authorities for further action.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to credible intelligence about criminal activities in Wase, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State between 15 - 18 May 2025. During the operations, some extremists were neutralized and rescued 2 kidnapped victims, while some arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles and livestock were recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
7. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review;
a. Offensive Operations. Between 15 - 19 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Katsina-Ala and Kabba-Bunu LGAs of Benue and Kogi State as well as Borgu LGA of Niger State. During the encounters, our gallant troops neutralized some extremists, arrested 2 of them and rescued 2 kidnapped victims. They recovered arms and ammunition from them.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 8 - 13 May 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Kwande, Otukpo and Buruku LGAs of Benue State as well as Suleja LGA of Niger State. During the operations, they arrested 3 criminals and recovered weapons and ammunition.
c. Arrest. Similarly, from 15 May 2025 troops, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one suspect in possession of firearm, who later admitted to be a member of armed robbery gang in Keana LGA of Nasarawa State. Items recovered from him were a locally made pistol and 3 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. The criminals was handed over to appropriate authority for further action.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
8. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review:
a. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 550,350 litres of stolen crude oil, 13,710 litres of illegally refined AGO and 350 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 45 crude oil cooking ovens, 30 dugout pits, 16 boats, 37 storage tanks, 11 drums and 18 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 51 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
b. Offensive Operations. On 15 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operation arrested 7 suspected drug peddlers in Warri LGA of Delta State.
c. Arrest. Similarly, on 16 -18 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected vandals/criminals in Onelga, Degema and Ndoni LGAs of Rivers State as well as Uvwie and Ikot Abasi LGAs of Delta and Akwa Ibom States. Criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 16 - 17 May 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Ahoada and Mbo LGAs of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States respectively. During the operations, some criminals were neutralized, while some weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
9. Troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained offensive operations during the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 16 – 19 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with terrorists in Mbano and Awgu LGAs of Imo and Enugu States respectively. During the operations, 3 suspects were arrested, while ammunition, laptop computer and mobile phones were recovered from them.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 15 May 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Aguata LGA of Anambra State. During the operation, troops rescued one kidnapped victim..
The Director Defence Media Operations stated that in period under review, our gallant troops neutralized scores of terrorists, and also conducted operations across the various operation theatres in the country. Troops of AFN will continue its operations within the ambit of the law, giving due regards to human rights in line with global best practices in orders to safeguard national security, support our allies, and maintain regional stability.