By Olayemi Esan, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has recorded significant victories across various theatres of operation in August 2025, neutralizing several high-profile terrorist commanders, arresting kidnappers, gunrunners, and oil thieves, as well as rescuing numerous kidnapped victims.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this during the monthly press briefing on ongoing military operations, held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, yesterday.
According to Kangye, troops intensified operations nationwide, with remarkable gains recorded in the fight against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and oil theft. He emphasized that the operations aimed to neutralize threats to national security, restore peace, and protect citizens’ lives and property.
“During the period under review, our troops sustained aggressive operations across all theatres, leading to the elimination of several terrorist leaders and their fighters. Arrests of terrorists, kidnappers, and criminal collaborators were also made, alongside the recovery of large quantities of arms, ammunition, and other logistics,” he said.
Key Terrorists Neutralized
Troops eliminated several notorious terrorists, including Adamu Buba, also known as Mai-Pankshin, in Riyom LGA of Plateau State, and Abdullahi Abubakar, who had been terrorizing Rafiki village in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.
Additionally, two suspected gunrunners were arrested along the Kwoi-Keffi road in Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State, while two suspected kidnappers, Mohammed Sanusi and Usman Alhaji Bala, were captured in Obajana, Lokoja LGA of Kogi State.
North East – Operation HADIN KAI
In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted sustained offensives between 29 August and 2 September 2025, targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
Operations were carried out in Mafa, Bama, Damboa, Gwoza, Kukawa, Jere, Askira-Uba, and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State, as well as Madagali and Michika LGAs of Adamawa State.
Highlights include:
- Neutralization of scores of terrorists.
- Rescue of 8 kidnapped victims.
- Arrest of 15 terrorist collaborators, informants, and a gunrunner.
- Recovery of arms, ammunition, logistics items, motorcycles, and vehicles.
- Safe detonation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Abadam, Gwoza, and Mobbar LGAs.
North West – Operation FANSAN YAMMA
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY) recorded major successes in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, and Kaduna States.
Between 31 August and 2 September 2025, troops:
- Eliminated several terrorists in Shinkafi, Tsafe, Isa, and Tureta LGAs.
- Arrested 23 terrorists.
- Rescued 24 kidnapped victims in multiple rescue missions across Malumfashi (Katsina), Faskari, and Sabuwa LGAs, as well as parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
- Recovered arms, ammunition, and other logistics.
On 30 August 2025, a suspected terrorist was arrested in Borgu LGA, Niger State, with arms, ammunition, a motorcycle, and ₦321,000 in cash.
North Central – Operation ENDURING PEACE & WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to several distress calls across Plateau and Kaduna States, killing terrorists and arresting six criminals while rescuing two kidnapped victims.
In a separate operation, a suspected kidnapper was arrested while attempting to withdraw ₦3 million ransom from a POS vendor in Bassa LGA of Plateau State.
Meanwhile, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops conducted raids in Nasarawa, Benue, Taraba, Kogi States, and the FCT, eliminating extremists and kidnappers.
- 13 kidnapped hostages were rescued.
- 9 kidnappers were arrested.
- Arms, ammunition, vehicles, motorcycles, and mobile phones were recovered.
South-South – Operation DELTA SAFE
The fight against oil theft recorded significant progress, with troops foiling oil theft worth over ₦545,872,819 in August.
Recovered items include:
- 619,236 litres of stolen crude oil.
- 106,147 litres of illegally refined AGO (diesel).
- 5,785 litres of DPK (kerosene) and 2,650 litres of PMS (petrol).
- Destruction of 97 illegal refining sites and 488 equipment.
Between 30 August and 1 September 2025, five suspected oil criminals were arrested in Rivers and Delta States, with arms, ammunition, a vehicle, and ₦1.7 million recovered.
South East – Operation UDO KA
Troops in the South East destroyed separatist camps in Anambra, Imo, and Abia States. During patrols, banners belonging to secessionist groups were recovered, alongside arms, ammunition, IEDs, motorcycles, and military uniforms.
Federal Ministry of Finance Protests
Kangye addressed the ongoing protests by some retired soldiers at the Federal Ministry of Finance over gratuity and Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) payments.
He clarified that gratuities are calculated based on the salary chart effective on the date of retirement, meaning those who retired before the implementation of the new minimum wage on 29 July 2024 cannot have their benefits recalculated using the new chart.
“While the Defence Headquarters recognizes the right to protest, veterans are advised to exercise restraint and vacate the Ministry’s premises to allow normal government functions to continue smoothly,” he urged.
Major General Kangye reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring peace across all regions.“Our troops remain resolute, professional, and dedicated to safeguarding this nation. We appreciate the media for their objective reportage and call on the public to rely on verified information,” he said.
The AFN vowed to sustain its current momentum, with intensified operations expected in September to further weaken terrorists and criminal networks across the country.