The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that it handed over 75 rehabilitated terrorists to the Borno State government in past two week.
It said that troops on operation across the country killed scores of terrorists within the week.
Those rehabilitated and handed over comprised seven adult males, 34 adult females and 34 children.
The Director Defence Media Operations Maj.-Gen Markus Kangye disclosed this during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters Abuja, on Thursday.
He said: “Between 10 to 19 March 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males, adult females and some children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation following the ongoing onslaught by our gallant troops.”
Maj.-Gen Markus Kangye said troops apprehended two suspected terrorists that have been on the watch list and one gunrunner identified as Shehu and Bagiwaye in Gudu and Gusau local government areas of Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively.
The defence spokesman said between March 10 and 20 troops arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and recovered stolen Petroleum products worth over N461 million.
“The breakdown includes 247,629 litres of stolen crude oil and 198,374 litres of illegally refined AGO,” Kangye said.
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“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.”
According to the defence spokesman, troops on March 10 and 13 laid ambush on some terrorists in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State and Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State, and engaged in a fire fight with terrorists.
“During the encounters, some of the terrorists were neutralized, while some arms and ammunition as well as mobile phones were recovered from them,” he said.
“Offensive operations. Between 10 – 19 March 2025, troops conducted fighting patrols and made contact in Gwadabawa, Tangaza and Gudu local government areas of Sokoto State as well as Kaura Namoda and Bungudu LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar operation was conducted in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. During the encounters, some terrorists were neutralized including a senior terrorist fighter identified as Babangida in Kinpin Dan Sa’adi enclave in Kaura Namoda and arrested.
“Troops also recovered some AK-47 rifles, locally fabricated guns, and cache of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, as well as motorcycles and mobile phones from them.”