Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops in various theatres of operations nationwide eliminated 358 terrorists, apprehended 431 suspected insurgents, arrested 59 individuals involved in oil theft, and rescued 249 kidnapped hostages in January.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, detailing the military’s counter-insurgency efforts over the past month.
According to the statement, troops have sustained momentum in combating terrorist elements and their collaborators across the country.
“During January 2025, troops neutralised 358 terrorists and arrested 431 suspected terrorists. Troops also apprehended 59 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 249 kidnapped hostages,” it partly read.
In the South-South, troops reportedly thwarted oil theft amounting to over N2 billion (N2,699,660,460.00). The breakdown includes 2,732,038 litres of stolen crude oil, 42,515 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 200 litres of Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 2,250 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), among other confiscated items.
Additionally, the troops recovered 370 weapons and 4,972 rounds of ammunition, including 105 AK-47 rifles, 25 locally fabricated guns, 32 dane guns, 23 pump-action guns, 3,066 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 758 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 980 cartridges, 72 assorted arms, and 500 assorted rounds of ammunition.
The statement emphasised the military’s continued commitment to securing the nation, ensuring that troops remained focused on creating a safe environment for citizens.
Providing details on recent operations, the statement revealed that troops of Joint Task Force Operation Fasan Yamma in the North-West responded to terrorist activities, apprehended insurgents and their collaborators, and carried out offensive operations in Kaura Namoda, Tsafe, and Anka Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Zamfara State, as well as Sabon Birnin and Jibia LGAs of Sokoto and Katsina States. Similar operations were conducted in Birnin Gwari, Chikun, and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State.
The statement further said, “Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised 14 terrorists, arrested four persons, and rescued 26 kidnapped hostages.
“Troops also recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, two pump-action guns, two PKT guns, 471 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 19 PKT rounds, 14 magazines, one vehicle, 13 motorcycles, and three mobile phones, among other items.”
In the South-East, troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations and apprehended violent extremists and their collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. During the period under review, two suspected IPOB/ESN collaborators were arrested in the area.
The statement added: “Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested two IPOB/ESN terrorists. Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.”
Similarly, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH in the North Central conducted operations targeting violent extremists and kidnappers in Kabba-Bunu, Bassa, and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State, as well as the Abuja Municipal Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the DHQ, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained pressure against crude oil theft in the South-South, destroying multiple illegal refining sites and recovering stolen products.
“Troops destroyed illegal refining sites and recovered 552,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,900 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 203 crude oil cooking ovens, 16 dugout pits, four boats, 22 storage tanks, 13 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites. Other recovered items include two pumping machines, two outboard engines, two tricycles, one motorcycle, seven bicycles, two mobile phones, and four vehicles, among others.”
The statement concluded that all recovered items, arrested suspects, and rescued hostages had been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.