By Folusho Alade, Abuja
The Armed Forces of Nigeria says its military operations across various theatres of operations is intensifying and it will not relent in the efforts to rid the country of terrorists, bandits and other criminals.
Addressing Defence correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, the 3rd of April , 2025 at the Defense Headquarters while giving a scorecard of the activities of the Military in the first quarter of the year 2025, director of Defence Media Operations, DDMO, Major General Markus Kangye, said troops neutralized notorious terrorist leaders, including Abba Allai (aka Amirul Khalid of Alafa), Abdullahi (aka Honour), Jagaban, and Dan Danger, while another commander, Abdullahi Ali, was captured alive with severe injuries.
He said the sustained offensives from the Military have triggered internal conflicts among Boko Haram (BHT), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (JAS), leading to leadership vacuums that have weakened their operations.
In his words: “several terrorists surrendered due to relentless military pressure, while security forces arrested notorious gunrunners and logistics suppliers, including Alhaji Mansur Mohammed, Shehu Babangida, Sagi David, Blessing Paul, and Shuaibu Maji.
“In the North East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI engaged ISWAP and JAS fighters in clearance operations across Bama, Gwoza, Kaga, and Konduga in Borno State, eliminated terrorists and recovering automatic rifles and ammunition. Between March 27 and March 29, several ISWAP and JAS fighters surrendered to troops.
“In Sokoto and Katsina States, security forces rescued 16 kidnapped victims, dismantled criminal hideouts, and arrested terror suspects in Tsafe LGA, Katsina State.
Highlighting some of the major successes recorded in the first quarter, General Kangye said troops arrested gunrunner Shuaibu Maji in Dekina, Kogi State, along with other suspects in Edo and Kwara. A Beretta pistol, ammunition, and over N63,000 in cash were seized. In Lokoja, troops arrested a suspected terrorist accomplice, Musa Umar, found with food supplies meant for insurgents.
Speaking on oil theft in South South, the DDMO disclosed that during the Quarter under review, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over Seven Billion, Four Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million, Six Hundred and Forty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-Six Naira (7,428,648,246.00) only.
“The breakdown indicates: 6,290,437 litres of stolen crude
oil, 1,319,350 litres of illegally refined AGO, 6,130 litres of DPK and 4,545 litres of PMS.
“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 257 crude oil cooking ovens, 128 dugout pits, 192 boats, 138 storage tanks, 236 drums and 122 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include; barge, speedboats, pumping machines, drilling machines, and over 90 vehicles.
Enumerating the successes recorded according to theatres of Operations, General Kangye gave the following breakdown;
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH
Troops of Op WHIRL PUNCH achieved the following during the week:
a. Arrests. From 27 – 31 March 2025, troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 5 suspected criminals and a gunrunner identified as Shuaibu Maji in Dekina LGA of Kogi State and Ovia East and Kaiama LGAs of Edo and Kwara States respectively. Troops recovered the barretta pistol, some quantity of ammunition and the sum of N63,050.00 only.
b. Offensive Operations. During the week, troops conducted a fighting patrol in Lokoja during which a suspected kidnappers’ accomplice, identified as Musa Umar was arrested on 31 March 2025. Recovered from him were large quantities of food stuff and beverages believed to be meant for the terrorists.
c. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 31 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping operations responded to information about a suspected cattle rustler in Guyuk LGA of Adamawa State. On sighting troops, the criminal fled and abandoned a truck loaded with cows. The truck and its content were handed over to relevant authorities for necessary action.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
a. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 27 March – 2 April 2025, troops while on patrol responded to information about criminal activities in Bokkos and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State. During the operations, 8 persons suspected to be kidnappers were arrested, while 2 hostages were rescued. A locally fabricated gun, some quantities of 7.62mm ammunition, vehicles and mobile phones were recovered from them.
b. Offensive Operations. Also, between 27 March – 1 April 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with violent extremists in Mangu, Jos South, Jos North, Qua’An Pan and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State. Following a fire fight, our gallant troops neutralized several extremists, arrested some and rescued 7 kidnapped victims. Items recovered from the criminals include automatic and locally fabricated rifles and assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Vehicles, motorcycles and some cows, believed to have been rustled were also recovered from the terrorists.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review:
a. Offensive Operation. Acting on credible intelligence, troops stormed violent extremists’ hideout in Nasarawa Eggon and Keana LGAs of Nasarawa State as well as Guma and Otukpo LGAs of Benue State between 27 – 31 March 2025. In similar operations in Takum LGA of Taraba State, troops also encountered and engaged some kidnappers. During the encounters, many extremists were neutralized, while over 20 kidnapped victims were rescued. Recovered from them were arms and ammunition as well as vehicles and motorcycles.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 27 March – 2 April 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists attacking a community in Donga LGA of Taraba State. On arrival, troops restored normalcy and recovered arms and ammunition from the criminals.
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.
a. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 392,174litres of stolen crude oil, 138,757litres of illegally refined AGO and 830 litres of PMS while 375 litres of DPK were also recovered. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 11 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition as well as dynamites were also recovered.
b. Arrest. On 29 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Obaliku LGA of Cross River State and Uvwie LGAs of Cross River and Delta States respectively. During the operations, they arrested criminals and recovered berretta pistol, mobile phones as well as a motorcycle.
c. Offensive Operations. On 28 and 30 March 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with criminals in Etche, Ahoada West and Onelga LGAs of Rivers State. During the operations, troops arrested criminals and recovered some vehicles.
d. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. On 31 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Ika LGA of Akwa Ibom State and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages who were abandoned by their abductors.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review, while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Ohaji/Ogbema LGA of Imo State and Uzo Uwani LGA of Enugu State on 29 March 2025. During the encounters, 6 criminals were arrested and a pump Action gun with some live cartridges were recovered from them.
He however assured Nigerians that the gallant men and women of the AFN in conjunction with other security agencies as well as hybrid forces would continue to observe the laws of armed conflict, rules of engagement and code of conduct for internal security operations as they synergize efforts at addressing the myriads of security challenges bedeviling our dear nation, in line with our constitutional roles.
