- Troops kill scores of terrorists, arrest 450, rescue 180 kidnap victims
- Police neutralise three suspected bandits, recover motorcycle in Kebbi
- Operatives destroy 41 illegal refineries, foil oil theft
- 16 military officers to face trial
The month of September was quite an eventful one for the Nigerian troops, according to reports from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ).
Troops, in the said month, killed scores of terrorists, arrested 459 others and rescued 180 kidnap victims during internal security operations.
The military high command said 39 terrorists also surrendered while 63 arms of various shades and 4,475 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the insurgents.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, who revealed these in a statement yesterday, said the operations were initiated in direct response to escalating threats, hostile actions, or in support of allied forces.
Kangye said the operations were executed with “precision, coordination and firm commitment to minimising risk to both our forces and civilians on the ground.”
According to the defence spokesman, the operations were executed under different joint task forces, including Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Fansan Yamma, Operation Enduring Peace, Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Delta Safe, and Operation Udo Ka.
“Accordingly, 294 items such as grenades, Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) marking materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes were also recovered,” he said.
Kangye said between September 23 and 30, troops in the Northeast sustained operational momentum by denying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists freedom of action.
He said: “Our ground forces, in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
“Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.
“Troops eliminated scores of terrorists during their operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
“They also conducted operations in Madagali, Hong and Mubi South local government areas of Adamawa State as well as Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, eliminating scores of terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.”
In the same month, Kyange said, troops conducted clearance operations in Mafa, Magumeri, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Kaga, Abadam and Kukawa local government areas of Borno State, Mubi North and Hong local government areas of Adamawa State, as well as Geidam and Nguru local government areas of Yobe State.
“During the encounters, 21 terrorists’ collaborators, informants and terrorist sympathisers were arrested. Arms, ammunition, logistics items, vehicles, motorcycles and IED marking materials were also recovered.”
On the operations in the North West, the defence spokesman said that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY) sustained operational tempo throughout the month with significant activities.
He said during the fire fights, some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims were rescued.
Kangye said: “For instance, from 23 – 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Anka, Bakura, Tsafe, Maradun, Shinkafi and Maru local government areas of Zamfara State.
They also carried out operations in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goroyo and Wurno local government areas of Sokoto State.
“Additionally, troops conducted same operations in Shanono, Gwarzo and Tudun Wada local government areas of Kano State as well as Arewa, Mariga and Kontagora local government areas of Kebbi State and Kaduna Metropolis while JTF Sector in Katsina State covered Kankara, Faskari, Safana and Malumfashi local government areas of the state where a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu was arrested.
“During these operations, several terrorists were killed, 46 of them were arrested, and 13 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arrested terrorists are currently undergoing interrogation.”
He said in the North Central, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors.
“For instance, from 23 to 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and Jos East local government areas of Plateau State as well as Sanga and Jamaá local government areas of Kaduna State.
“During the firefights, some extremists were killed in action, arrested 12 of them and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them,” Kyange said.
Additionally, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their area of responsibility within the month under review, when they conducted operations in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Gwer West local government areas of Benue State as well as Takum and Nasarawa local government areas of Taraba and Nasarawa states.
“They also conducted operations in Kabba/Bunu and Omala LGAs of Kogi State as well as Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT. During the operation, during which troops killed some criminals in action, arrested six suspected others, while two kidnap victims were rescued,” he said.
On military onslaught against oil thieves and bunkers in the South-South zone, the defence spokesman said that troops of Operation Delta Safe recovered ₦112,175,220 worth of crude from oil thieves, and destroyed 41 illegal refining sites.
He said the operation in the Southeast also recorded significant successes last month.
According to him, troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the period between 25 and 30 September, conducting offensive operations in Ihiala and Orumba South local government areas of Anambra State as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State.
During these operations, Kyange said, a terrorist was killed in action, four others were arrested, and weapons and, ammunition, vehicles and improvised explosive devices were recovered.
He said: “The Armed Forces remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the lawful execution of all missions in accordance with international and domestic rules of engagement.”
According to Kyange, the primary objectives of the military onslaughts were to disrupt enemy capabilities, secure key terrain, support humanitarian efforts, “and I can tell you that significant progress has been made.
“The operation remains ongoing and our commanders on the ground continue to assess the situation to ensure stability and prevent further escalation.
“We remain fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the lawful execution of all missions in accordance with international and domestic rules of engagement,” he said.
The defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s commitment to protecting civilians while also ensuring the safety and welfare of personnel.
“As always, the safety of our personnel and the protection of innocent lives are top priorities,” he said.
Police neutralise three suspected Lakurawa bandits, recover motorcycle in Kebbi
The Police Command in Kebbi State says its operatives have neutralised three suspected bandits and recovered a motorcycle in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
He said the incident occurred on Friday, at about 12:45 pm when the command received credible intelligence that a gang of suspected Lakurawa’ bandits had invaded Gorun Yamma village in Dandi LGA.
“On the receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kamba, SP Bello Lawal, immediately mobilised a combined team of policemen and vigilantes to the scene.
“The team engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle which lasted for hours, leading to the neutralisation of three suspected bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.
“An unregistered red Honda motorcycle popularly known as ‘Boko Haram,’ was also recovered as exhibit from the scene,” Abubakar said.
Troops destroy 41 illegal refineries, foil oil theft in Niger Delta
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the troops of Operation Delta Safe have destroyed 41 illegal refining sites and foiled oil theft worth over ₦112.1 million in the Niger Delta in September.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja yesterday.
Kangye said the troops had maintained aggressive patrols and air reconnaissance to curb crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage.
According to him, the troops had also recovered 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,900 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and 1,475 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from criminals during the period under review.
“Troops also destroyed 41 illegal refining sites, 21 cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 11 storage tanks, seven boats and arrested several suspects involved in the illegal trade,” he said.
Kangye added that troops dismantled multiple oil theft networks and seized equipment used for large-scale bunkering, including pumping machines, hoses and generators.
He said the operations were carried out in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states with support from other security agencies.
The defence spokesman reaffirmed the military’s resolve to sustain its onslaught against crude oil theft, adding that the fight against economic saboteurs remains a national priority due to its direct impact on Nigeria’s economy and environmental safety.
He urged the host communities to support the security forces with timely information to help identify and disrupt oil theft networks operating in their areas.
“Our operations will continue to target the sources, storage facilities, and transportation channels used by oil thieves until these criminal enterprises are completely dismantled,” he said.
16 military officers face disciplinary action over misconduct
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said 16 military officers will face a full military disciplinary process over indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
The military high command revealed this in a statement through the Director Defence Information, Brig -Gen. Tukur Gusau, yesterday.
According to the statement, the officers have been arrested, while investigation was still ongoing to determine the gravity of their offences.
The statement reads: “Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations, among other issues.
“Some of the apprehended officers had been under jurisdiction for various offences, either awaiting or undergoing trial. Their conduct was deemed incompatible with the standards of military service.
“Upon completion of investigation, indicted officers will face the full military disciplinary process in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability and preserve professionalism within the Armed Forces.”
While assuring Nigerians that the actions are strictly disciplinary in nature and part of routine efforts to maintain order, discipline, and loyalty within the ranks, the military high command said the “Armed Forces of Nigeria will not tolerate behaviour that undermines the integrity of the institution or threatens its constitutional role under democratic authority.”
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains fully committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will remain professional at all times,” the DHQ added.
