The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Thursday that troops from the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have neutralised 92 terrorists.
Among those killed was a terrorist commander, Abba Alai, popularly known as Amirul Khalid of Alafa. Additionally, 111 individuals were arrested and 75 hostages were rescued during operations across various theaters.
Major General Markus Kunderangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations, provided this update during a bi-weekly briefing with defence correspondents held in Abuja from February 27 to March 6, 2025.
Gen Kangye said that in addition, the gallant troops arrested 18 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen products worth N521,802,360.00 during the period under review.
According to him, troops in the fight against oil theft recovered 452,396 litres of stolen crude oil, 224,175 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and 1,920 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).
“Furthermore, troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 illegal refining sites in the week under review.
“Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three tricycles, five motorcycles, two mobile phones and six vehicles, among others.
“Overall, troops within the week recovered 117 and 2,939 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively.
He gave a breakdown of recovered weapons to include 58 AK47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated guns, 26 dane guns, 7 pump-action guns, 4 PKT guns, 2 GPMGs, 1 QJC W85 gun, 1 HK 21 gun, 1 M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, 2 RPG tubes and 1 fabricated 60mm mortar.
They also recovered 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9th ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other 8 assorted arms.
He said that during the week under review, the land component of the Armed Forces conducted joint operations with the ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces.
According to him, “These operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.
“In the cause of the operations, they neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. The air component also, conducted several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions”.
Speaking on the operations of the Troops, he said that the Troops of”JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI (NORTH EAST) recorded the following successes during the week under review:
“Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 27 February – 5 March 2025, a total of 101 terrorists comprising 11 adult males, 39 adult females and 51 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation. one of the terrorists surrendered with one AK47 rifle and 7 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo.
“Offensive Operations Between 25 February – 5 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Bama, Gwoza, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala, Kukawa and Mafa LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
“During the operations, over 25 terrorists were neutralized including a terrorist Commander Abba Alai (Amirul Khalid of Alafa), 14 were apprehended, while 7 kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered 19 Ak47 rifles, 7 dane guns, 4 PKT guns, one HK 21 gun, one QJC W85 gun, 2 GPMGs, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, 2 RPG tubes, one fabricated 60mm mortar, 3 IEDs, 1,249 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 277 rounds of 12.7mm Special ammo, 20 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm x 5.56 x 45mm ammo, 16 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 18 magazines and 12 motorcycles.
“Arrest of ISWAP Terr Collaborator (1) From 26 February – 3 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Force while on offensive patrol intercepted and arrested 13 terrorist collaborators in Biu, Chibok, Monguno, Hawul and Dikwa LGAs of Borno State. One locally fabricated rifle, 106 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one vehicle, 2 motorcycles, 4 mobile phones and the sum of N12,450.00 only were recovered from them.
“On 1 March 2025, troops arrested 3 terrorists/herders in Chibok LGA of Borno State as well as Fune LGA of Yobe State. They recovered 2 Ak47 rifles, 44 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14 live cartridges, 2 magazines and the sum of N54,560.00 only.
He added that the Troops of ” JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (NORTH West also conducted Offensive Operations and recorded significant success.
According to him, “between 27 February – 2 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Maru, Tsafe and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Shiroro and Borgu LGAs of Niger State. A similar operation was also conducted in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. During the combat operations, 11 terrorists were neutralized while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued. Troops recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 43 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 197 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 magazines, 34 motorcycles and 8 mobile phones.
He further explained that the Troops of “JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST) In the week under review, troops conducted the following Operations.
“From 25 February – 1 March 2025, troops in conjunction with NDLEA team raided violent extremist/insurgent camps in Alomaboro and Baruten LGAs of Kogi and Kwara States respectively. During the raids, 6 kidnappers/criminals were arrested, while 2 dane guns, one locally made pistol and 16 cartridges were recovered.
According to him, “During the operations, 7 extremists were arrested, while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued one fabricated revolver rifle, one dane gun and 21 live cartridges as well as 3 mobile phones were also recovered.
“Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. From 2 – 3 March 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti-kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Bokkos and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
“During the operations, one extremist was neutralized, 4 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 7 hostages were rescued. One locally fabricated revolver, 9 live cartridges and the sum of N521,000.00 were also recovered.
“Offensive Operation, on 28 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State.
According to him, “Following a firefight, 2 extremists were neutralized while 2 pump action guns, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 IEDs, one vehicle and the sum of N17,500 were recovered.
“Arrest, on 3 March 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, intercepted 5 criminals in Onitsha South LGA of Enugu State as well as Umuahia North LGA of Abia State and recovered 2 pump action guns, one locally fabricated rifle, 122 live cartridges, 2 motorcycles and the sum of N8,000.00 only.
He stated that all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.
He assured that the gallant men and women of the AFN would continue to carry out the constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with the rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then