The Defence Correspondents DHQ on Thursday said that in continuation of the ongoing Military operations against insurgency activities, the Troops neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued some kidnapped victims and handed over rehabilitated terrorists to the Borno State Government in the last one week
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major Gen Markus Kangye disclosed this in Abuja while updating Defence Correspondents on reports of the ongoing Military operations against insurgency activities across the various theaters of operations in county as at March 20 this year
According to him, “the Nigerian military in conjunction with hybrid forces, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA team and security agencies continued their offensive against terrorists and other criminal elements in joint operations during the week under review.
“They conducted fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations with resounding successes.
He that “during operations across various theatres, several terrorists were neutralized. Their collaborators were also apprehended, while some kidnapped victims were rescued. The week also witnessed the handover of rehabilitated terrorists to the Borno State Government
“Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. Several close air support, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions were conducted by the Air Component during the week.
He further explained that “Between 10 – 20 March 2025, scores of terrorists were neutralized while suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 23 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages.
According to him, “in the South South, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Four Hundred and Sixty One Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira (N461,783,868.00) only.
“The breakdown includes: 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO.
“Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and some vehicles amongst others.
He added that in a related development, troops recovered huge cache of assorted arms and ammunition during the week.
According to him, “the weapons recovered include; AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, Dane guns, pump action, locally fabricated pistols and RPG tubes amongst others.
“The ammunition recovered include; various kinds of 7,62mm ammo as well as RPG bombs.
Speaking on the operations of the Troops, Gen Markus Kangye explained that the Troops of “JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KA . between 10 – 19 March this, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by the gallant troops.
He added that between 10 – 18 March 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols and clearance operations in Gwoza, Dikwa, Chibok, Bama, Konduga, Damboa, Ngazai, Monguno, Abadam and Guzamala Local Government Area of of Borno State as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe States respectively.
According to him, “during the operations, some terrorists were neutralized, others were apprehended, while some kidnapped hostages were rescued.
“They also recovered Ak47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, as well as assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition. Also recovered were AK47 magazines, IEDs, several unexploded ordnance devices as well as 2 vehicles and terrorists’ motorcycles.
He added that the Troops of “JOINT TASK FORCENORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA between 10 and 13 March this year, following intelligence reports about terrorists’ activities in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State as well as Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, troops sprang ambushes against the terrorists.
According to him, “during the encounters, some of the terrorists were neutralized, while some arms and ammunition as well as mobile phones were recovered from them.
He further added that between 10 – 19 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Gwadabawa, Tangaza and Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State as well as Kaura Namoda and Bungudu Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.
“Similar operation was conducted in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized including a senior terrorists fighter identified as Babangida in Kinpin Dan Sa’adi enclave in Kaura Namoda and arrested others.
“Troops also recovered some AK47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, and cache of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, as well as motorcycles and mobcile phones from them.
The Director further explained that the Troops of “JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH on 14 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols in Tudun Wada LGA of Kano State as well as Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State.
According to him, during combat, some terrorists were arrested. Recovered from them were locally fabricated rifles with some quantity of 7.62mm ammunition as well as 2 motorcycles.
He added that on 14 and 17 March 2025, troops while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations responded to information about violent extremists’ activities in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory and Esan North East LGA of Edo State.
According to him, “During the operations, 3 kidnappers were arrested while 2 hostages were rescued. One locally fabricated rifle, some live cartridges and the sum of N17,900.00 were recovered.
He further explained that the Troops of the “JOINT TASK FORCESOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA” .”From 13 – 18 March 2025, during offensive operations made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists at Ihiala and Ogbaru LGAs of Anambra State as well as Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
“Following a fire fight, troops neutralized some fighters of the terrorists, arrested others and rescued a kidnapped victim. They also recovered some arms and ammunition, including several IEDs and live cartridges.
He added that “On 14 and 16 March 2025, troops and NDLEA team while on fighting patrol, responded to information about criminal activities in Aninri and Enugu North LGAs of Enugu State as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
“They also conducted similar operations in Afikpo North and Ogbaru LGAs of Ebonyi and Anambra States respectively. During the operations, many extremists were arrested while a locally made pistol and live cartridges were recovered.”
On the operations of the Troops of “JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE”, he said that the Troops sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the period under review.
He added that the Troops recovered 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 36 crude oil cooking ovens, 42 dugout pits, 28 boats, 33 storage tanks, 65 drums and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 4 vehicles. Furthermore, 17 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition as well as one extra magazine were also recovered.
The Director said that all the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits have been handed over to the appropriate quarters for further action
He assured that the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with the constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations.
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