The Defence Headquarters says Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE during the month of May 2025 destroyed over 488 equipment and 97 illegal refining sites, foiled oil theft worth over One Billion Fifty Six Million Two Hundred and Ninety Seven Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety Seven Naira (N1,056,956,819.00) only.
In a press statement,Director Defence Media Operations, Maj. General Markus Kangye disclosed that troops also recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 23 vehicles.
He added that, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered.
The breakdown indicates: 853,236 litres of stolen crude oil, 214,147 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,785 litres of DPK and 2,650 litres of PMS.
He noted that during the month in focus, the Armed Forces in conjunction with relevance security agencies actively engaged in series of operations designed to enhance national security, promote stability, and national interests both at home and abroad.
The operations demonstrated our collective resolve to confront emerging threats in an ever-evolving global security landscape. Our focus is to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our duty to inform the public about the efforts and the principles guiding our actions.
"We are proud of the professionalism and resilience of our troops, who continue to serve with honour and integrity. Their sacrifices and dedication are the fulcrum of our military effectiveness, and we treasure their commitment as we discuss the complexities of the ongoing operations.
"It is our intention to provide you with accurate information and insights that will help you convey the realities of our operations to Nigerians and beyond.
"We understand the public interest in the ongoing military operations, and we are committed to providing you with timely and accurate information about our activities across all theatres.
"Our forces are currently engaged in both kinetic and non-kinetic operations in order to combat specific threats, securing our citizens and provide secure environment for economic activities to thrive amongst others. These operations are being conducted with utmost precision and a clear focus on minimizing collateral damage and ensuring the safety of civilian populations in line with global operational standards." he said
DETAILS OF THE MONTHLY REPORT BELOW
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
5. During the last week in May 2025, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. From 22 - 28 May 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males and females as well as children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightens up during the week.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 22 - 27 May 2025, troops in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Bama, Ngala, Damboa, Gwoza, Kukawa and Chibok LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the operations, some terrorists were eliminated, while 16 kidnapped victims were rescued. They also recovered arms and ammunition as well as bombs, IEDs/IED making materials, jerrycans containing PMS and motorcycles.
c. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. Troops arrested 23 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a drug peddler in well-coordinated operations conducted in Mafa, Kukawa, Marte, Ngala and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Geidam and Potiskum LGAs of Yobe State on 22 - 26 May 2025.
Amongst the items recovered were IED making materials, armmoured cables, large quantities of grains, fertilizers, PMS, mobile phones, motorcycles and vehicles, while the sum of N557,200.00 was also recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
6. Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following within the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 22 - 26 May 2025, troops made contact with terrorists during fighting patrols conducted in Faskari, Sabuwa and Danmusa LGAs of Katsina State as well as Isa, Sabon Birni, Tangaza, Gwadabawa and Illela LGAs of Sokoto State. They also conducted operations in Maradun and Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State. During the encounters, some terrorists were eliminated, while over 100 kidnapped victims were rescued, using non-kinetic approach. Some weapons as well as assorted ammunition, bombs, hand grenades, vehicles, handheld radios and motorcycles were also recovered.
b. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Danmusa and Matazu LGAs of Katsina State as well as Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State from 22 - 24 May 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued over 4 kidnapped victims.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
7. During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
a. Offensive Operations. From 22 - 27 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Qua’An Pan, Jos South and Wase LGAs of Plateau State. During the encounters, our gallant troops killed some extremists, arrested 6 and rescued one kidnapped victims.
b. Arrest. From 22 - 24 May 2025, troops acting on a tip-off arrested 20 suspected criminals/kidnappers in Zangon Kataf, Sanga and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State.
c. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to credible intelligence about criminal activities in Mangu, Jos south, Barkin Lady, Bassa and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kauru LGA of Kaduna State between 22 - 26 May 2025. During the operations, some extremists were killed, while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles and livestock were also recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
8. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review;
a. Offensive Operations. Between 22 - 27 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Takum, Karim Lamido and Wukari LGAs of Taraba State as well as Ofu, Kabba-Bunu and Lokoja LGAs of Kogi State. They further conducted similar operations in Akoko South East and Ukum LGAs of Ondo and Benue States respectively. During the encounters, our gallant troops eliminated some extremists, arrested 14 of them and rescued 32 kidnapped victims. They recovered arms and ammunition from them, and also destroyed several extremists’ camps and motorcycles.
b. Arrest. Similarly on 22 May 2025 troops in conjunction with ONSA Team, acted on a tip-off, intercepted a vehicle conveying 2 suspected gunrunners in Abaji Area Council of the FCT. Suspects are currently in the custody of ONSA team for further action. Also, troops arrested 16 suspected criminals/kidnappers and their logistics suppliers in Karu and Ukum LGAs of Nasarawa and Benue States as well as Esatko West LGA of Edo State between 22 – 25 May 2025. Items recovered from them were weapons and ammunition, mobile phones, motorcycles and vehicles. The criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for further action.
c. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 22 - 24
May 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Ukum and Karim Lamido LGAs of Benue and Taraba States respectively. During the operations, some criminals were killed, while some weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review:
Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 289,373 litres of stolen crude oil, 346,460 litres of illegally refined AGO and 5,000 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 52 crude oil cooking ovens, 21 dugout pits, 11 boats, 36 storage tanks, 36 drums and 25 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 65 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition, water jell explosive, were also recovered.
Offensive Operations. From 22 -23 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with some criminals in Warri South and Ndokwa West LGAs of Delta State. During the encounters, 5 criminals were arrested, while oil bunkery equipment and the sum of N18,000.00 were recovered from them.
Arrest. Similarly, Between 23 - 27 May 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 26 suspected vandals/criminals in Aniocha and Sapele LGAs of Delta State as well as Abua/Odual, Ememe and Ahoada West LGAs of Rivers State. They also apprehended some of them in Yenagoa LGA of Bayelsa State. The criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained offensive operations during the period under review:
Offensive Operations. Between 22 - 25 May 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with terrorists in Ihiala and Nsukka LGAs of Abia and Enugu States. During the operations, 5 suspects were arrested, while 5 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arms, ammunition, IEDs making materials and mobile phones were recovered from them. Similarly, troops raided terrorists camp in Ugwunagbo LGA of Abia State on 22 May 2025. During the operation, troops recovered several automatic machine guns, other arms and ammunition, laptops, CCTVs, vehicles motorcycles and the sum of N11,750,000.00 as well as $27,000.00. meanwhile the camp was destroyed and set ablaze.
Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 25 May 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about criminal activities in Obowo LGA of Imo State. During the operation, troops recovered arms and ammunition.
Arrest. Between 22 - 27 May 2025 troops acting on credible intelligence, arrested 6 suspected criminals in Mbaitoli and Mbano LGAs of Imo State as well as Bende LGA of Abia State. Troops recovered arms, ammunition, over 50 ATM Cards, motorcycles, mobile phones and Biafran’ currency. The suspects were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action.