Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai repelled a coordinated terrorists’ attacks on military positions in Buratai and Mallam Fatori areas of Borno.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buratai and Mallam Fatori are located in Biu and Abadam local government areas.
Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Maiduguri.
He said the operation, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, was supported by the Nigerian Army UAV platforms and the air component.
Kovangiya said preliminary findings revealed that several terrorists were killed, while AK-47 rifles, general purpose machine guns, rocket propelled guns and other equipment were recovered.
” The terrorists had attempted to infiltrate troops’ locations from multiple fronts, but were met with fierce resistance from ground troops, with close support from the Air Component.
“Troops swiftly engaged the terrorists with heavy gunfire while the Air Component provided close air support.
” Several lifeless bodies of terrorists were discovered, and a large cache of assorted arms and ammunition recovered,” Kovangiya said.
The spokesperson added that the troops are currently combing the areas to clear possible remnants of the insurgents.
“After hours of intense gun duel, the terrorists fled in disarray. Troops pursued the retreating terrorists, neutralising scores while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Kovangiya noted that coordinated ground and air operations were ongoing in the general area, reaffirming the commitment of troops to deny terrorists freedom of action across the North East.
The Defense Headquarters has announced the arrest of Buhari Umar, a notorious gunrunner and kidnap kingpin who has been terrorising communities across Gombe, Bauchi, Plateau, and Kaduna states.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, also revealed that troops had eliminated several terrorists, including a wanted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nkwachi Eze. Eze, who had been coordinating attacks and kidnappings in the South East, was neutralised during a military operation.
Kangye further disclosed that troops arrested a five-man kidnapping syndicate in the Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The suspects were identified as Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Idi Yusuf, Adamu Danmai, and Hassan Bello.
Throughout April, troops rescued a total of 173 kidnapped victims, while 204 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendered. In addition, 430 individuals suspected of oil theft and other criminal activities were arrested.
Highlighting efforts in the Niger Delta, Kangye said troops of Operation DELTA SAFE thwarted oil theft activities valued at over ₦1.9 billion in just one week.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to ridding the country of criminal elements and restoring peace across all troubled regions.
“The breakdown is as follows: 1,009,733 litres of stolen crude oil, 304,811 litres of illegally refined AGO and 3,480 litres of DPK, 19,875 litres of PMS, and 1,600 litres of engine oil. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 351 crude oil cooking ovens, 418 dugout pits, 30 boats, 9 speedboats, 160 storage tanks, 721 drums, and 95 illegal refining sites,” he said
“Other items recovered include pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 42 vehicles.
“Additionally, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered.”
Troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) in partnership with other security agencies have arrested 23 suspected oil thieves and confiscated 180,000 stolen products across the Niger Delta region.
Confirming the development in Port Harcourt on Monday, the acting deputy director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the troops destroyed 13 illegal refineries in the region.
Danjuma said in Rivers State, around Orachi/Okolomade general area in Abua/Odual Local Government Area (LGA), the troops confiscated over 45,000 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) in sacks, concealed at different locations in the forest.
He said the operatives destroyed an active illegal refining site around Obiafo in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA) and recovered over 28,000 litres of stolen crude in two reservoirs.
Danjuma confirmed that one suspect was arrested in the area while others fled on sighting troops, saying an 800-meter-long hose and a pumping machine were recovered.
He said the troops conducted an operation around Peterside Community in Bonny LGA, where an illegal refining site was uncovered, with three pots and receivers and over 10,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
He said: “Similarly, in a snap operation conducted along Obrikom—Omoku, two wooden boats conveying over 3,000 litres of illegally refined AGO were intercepted.
“Meanwhile, seven suspected oil thieves were apprehended in connection with the heinous crime. The ongoing clearance operations at the fringes of the Imo River are progressing with several illegal refining sites, drum pots, and receivers taken out.”
In Akwa Ibom State, Danjuma said following credible intelligence, troops intercepted a tanker truck with registration number 1430 LA filled with 39,994 litres of stolen products along the Itu – Calabar highway in Itu LGA.
He said two suspected oil thieves were arrested in connection with the seizure, adding that an investigation led to the discovery of fake waybill papers possessing criminal elements.
He said a similar operation was also conducted along Abak-Ikomima road in Uyo LGA and led to the interception of a truck with registration number 22689 LA laden with 39,985 litres of stolen crude.
“The products were also said to be conveyed with fake papers. Closely related was a sting operation conducted at Ibio Ndot Community in Orok Anam LGA, where troops discovered 103 nylon bags filled with over 3,090 litres of illegally refined AGO concealed in a Cassava farm”, he said.
Danjuma said that in Bayelsa State, around Biseni in Yenagoa Local Government Area (YELGA), troops discovered an illegal refining site with over 2,600 litres of AGO in sacks.
He said that in the Adibawa area, also in YELGA, over 2,500 litres of stolen crude and 1,100 litres of illegally refined AGO in sacks were recovered.
“Also, recovered were eight wheelbarrows used for the illicit activities. This was in addition to six suspected oil thieves arrested at the scene”, he said.
He quoted the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah, calling on troops to sustain the pressure on all forms of economic sabotage in the region.
Troops on operation against oil thieves and bunkerers in the Niger Delta region seized N869,283,765.00 worth of petroleum products in the past week.
The troops also destroyed 22 illegal refining sites and arrested 49 oil thieves and bunkerers.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, announced this in a statement on Friday.
He said the troops recovered 325,990 litres of stolen crude, 24,645 litres of illegally refined diesel, 19,500 litres of petrol and 1,600 litres of engine oil.
Kangye said: “The troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, and 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites.”
Giving updates about troops operations in other region, the defence spokesman said troops of Operation UDO KA killed a Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leaders, Nkwachi Eze (aka Onowu), during a firefights in the IPOB hideouts in Uzo-Uwani and Ndoni local government areas of Enugu and Rivers States.
“Troops arrested everal extremists and rescued three kidnapped victims,” Kangye said.
“Items recovered from the criminals include AK-47 rifles, locally fabricated rifles, pump action guns, locally made pistols, assorted rounds of ammunition, extra magazines and IEDs. Vehicles, motorcycles and mobile phones and customized clothes with Biafra Liberation Army inscribed on them.”
On the operation in the North West, the defence spokesman said troops arrested two suspected Lakurawa terrorists members in Arewa and Tangaza local government areas of Kebbi and Sokoto States.
“They also recovered weapons, a motorcycle, beverages and the sum of N4,450.00,” he said.
He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, raids and clearance operations in Buturam Village Village in Gujba local government area of Yobe state and Mai Dunamari in Kaga local government area of Borno state.
“During the operations, some terrorists were neutralized and others apprehended. They also recovered Ak47 rifles, dan guns, locally fabricated rifles and assorted rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition as well as Unexploded Ordinances.
“In a well-coordinated operation from 4 to 10 April 2025 in Maiduguri Metropolitan Municipal Council, Mobbar, Damasak and Konduga local government areas of Borno State as well as Geidam and Gujba local government area of Yobe State. Troops intercepted nine terrorists’ logistics suppliers and recovered logistics supplies from them as well as the sum of N235,330.00 only.
“On 4 April 2025, troops while on fighting patrol, came under terrorists’ attack in Gwoza local government area of Borno State. The troops successfully repelled the attack, neutralized several of them and recovered some weapons.”
Kangye said score of ISWAP/JAS terrorists surrendered to troops between April 4 and 9.
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), in Jos Plateau state have successfully arrested the killers of Sylvester Okechukwu, a reverend father who was murdered after being abducted in Tachira village, located in the Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.
The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday following a well-coordinated raid on the hideout of the prime suspect in Ruga settlement, located within the Warsa-Piti village of Lere LGA.
The operation led to the capture of the primary suspect, 33-year-old Pate Yau, who allegedly masterminded the abduction and killing of Okechukwu.
In a statement by the spokesperson of OPSH Major Samson Zakhom, in Jos, said Yau confessed to having been contracted by one Douglas Henry, a co-tenant who lived in the same house as the deceased priest.
He explained that the plan to kidnap Father Okechukwu was reportedly orchestrated by Henry, who then enlisted Yau to carry out the crime.
“Following the arrest of Pate Yau, troops launched a follow-up operation that led to the capture of Douglas Henry at Agwan Sarki Tachira in Kaura LGA.
The operation was part of a broader effort to dismantle criminal networks responsible for abductions and killings in the region.
Both suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing further interrogation to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the murder”.
As the investigation continues, the OPSH have reiterated their commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring the safety of both residents and visitors in the state.
Zakhom said the arrest of the killers is a significant step forward in restoring peace and order to Kaduna State, particularly in the wake of rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes.
Troops of 6 Division Nigerian Army have destroyed 19 illegal refineries, arrested 12 suspected oil thieves and seized 138,000 litres of stolen products in the Niger Delta region.
The Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the development and said several intelligence-led operations were conducted in Rivers State.
He said the operations led to the interception of a tanker laden with 60,000 litres of stolen crude around Apajo – Iwoji – Iwofe road in Obio Akpor Local Government Area (LGA).
Danjuma said the driver fled and abandoned the truck on sighting the troops, adding that a search was conducted on the truck, which led to the recovery of multiple plate numbers.
He said a clearance operations were conducted at the fringes of the Imo River, which resulted in the deactivation of numerous artisanal refineries, 64 drum pots and 15 drum receivers with over 4,500 litres of stolen products recovered.
Danjuma said while at Kumufari Creek in Degema LGA, troops discovered an abandoned oven, with 40 sacks filled with over 1,200 litres of stolen crude.
“Additionally, at Okotokolomabia/Okoloma Lounge area in Bonny Island LGA, troops raided a site, where suspected oil thieves fled and abandoned their equipment. At the site, various items were recovered, including a 6 KVA generator, one wielding machine, 5 drilling machines, 2 drilling cups, 38 bolts and nuts amongst several other items”, he said.
Danjuma said the troops raided seven illegal bunkering camps around Joinkrama 4 and Biseni in Ahoada West and Yenagoa LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa states.
He said during the raid,, illegal refining sites were destroyed with over 25,000 litres of stolen crude and 850 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil recovered.
He named other items recovered as two wheelbarrows and a wooden boat adding that over 1,550 litres of stolen crude in cellophane bags on the waterways were seized.
He said in Delta State, around Masogar in Ethiope West LGA, an illegal bunkering open truck, with an inbuilt iron tank with registration number Edo Ekp 83 XB was intercepted along NNPC/Chevron/Seplat pipeline,
He said the truck was loaded with over 20,000 litres of stolen crude, with another truck positioned behind it, waiting to be loaded with stolen products.
Danjuma said in Akwa Ibom State, along the Iko – Okorete Communities road in Eastern Obolo LGA, a Toyota Avalon with Registration Number Lagos LSR 796 FD loaded with over 1,620 litres of stolen products in 54 cellophane bags was intercepted.
“The two occupants of the vehicle were arrested. All the suspects have been handed over to the appropriate agencies for prosecution, while items and products confiscated were handled in accordance with the existing operational mandate”, he said.
The Defence Headquarters says troops have neutralised a total of 74 terrorists, apprehended 130 suspects and rescued 61 kidnapped hostages in various operations from March 5 to March 13.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations across the country on Friday in Abuja.
Kangye said the successful operations were jointly conducted by the land component of the Armed Forces with the Team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), security agencies and hybrid forces.
He said that the troops recovered 71 assorted weapons comprising 32 AK47 rifles, 15 locally fabricated guns, nine dane guns, three pump action guns, two locally fabricated pistols and 10 other assorted arms.
According to him, troops also recovered 1,202 ammunition comprising 1,133 assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 69 live cartridges.
Kangye said that a total of 143 terrorists comprising five adult males, 66 adult females and 72 children surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operation within the week.
According to him, one of the terrorists surrendered with two AK47 rifle, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two magazines.
“The gallant men and women of the armed forces will continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and property of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct for Internal Security Operations,” he said.
212,000 litres of products seized, 29 suspects arrested
The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have engaged armed oil thieves in a gun duel in the Niger Delta destroying 31 illegal refineries and arresting 29 suspects.
The Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt.- Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said this in a statement yesterday.
He said the troops in a series of operations, demobilised 26 boats used for the illicit activity and recovered over 212,000 litres of stolen products.
Danjuma said in Rivers State, at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area, troops deactivated 10 illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots,and recovered one heavy duty generator as well as two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
He said the troops also recovered three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200 meters long hose used for the criminal venture, adding that the items were concealed under a thick forest not susceptible to aerial surveillance.
He said along Oloma also in Bonny Island Local Government Area, three suspected oil thieves with a wooden boat ladened with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted while, around Karakarma, four illegal refining sites, four boats were destroyed with over 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
Danjuma said around Rumuokwurusi – Elelenwo in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, four tanks filled with over 9,500 litres of stolen crude disguised as bakery were handled by the troops.
He said: “Similar operations were also carried out at Bille and Kumbufari Creeks in Degema Local Government Area, where several illegal refining sites, three wooden boats and holding facilities were taken out with over 9,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
The troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army have engaged armed oil thieves in a gun duel in the Niger Delta, destroying 31 illegal refineries and arresting 29 suspects.
The Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.
He said the troops in series of operations, demobilized 26 boats used for the illicit activity and recovered over 212,000 litres of stolen products across the joint area of operations.
Danjuma said in Rivers State, in a decisive operation conducted at Ogbonga Forest in Bonny Island Local Government Area (LGA), troops deactivated 10 Illegal refining sites, 15 cooking pots,and recovered one heavy duty generator as well as two massive reservoirs stocked with over 70,000 litres of stolen crude.
He said the troops also recovered three tanks filled with over 10,000 litres of stolen products and a 200 meters long hose used for the criminal venture recovered adding that the items were tactically concealed under a thick forest not susceptible to aerial surveillance.
He said along Oloma general area also in Bonny Island LGA, three suspected oil thieves with a wooden boat ladened with over 10,000 litres of stolen products were intercepted while, around Karakarma, four illegal refining sites, four boats were destroyed with over 9,600 litres of stolen crude confiscated.
Danjuma said around Rumuokwurusi – Elelenwo in Obio Akpor LGA, four tanks filled with over 9,500 litres of stolen crude disguised as bakery were handled by the troops.
He said: “Similar operations were also carried out at Bille and Kumbufari Creeks in Degema LGA, where several illegal refining sites, three wooden boats and holding facilities were taken out with over 9,000 litres of stolen products confiscated.
“At Ebocha in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), one active illegal refining site, a large metal oven drum, hoses and a reservoir with over 6,000 litres of stolen products were handled in accordance with subsisting operational mandate.
“Several other seizures were effected at Omoku also in ONELGA, Joinkrama 4 in Ahoada West LGA, Karakarma Community in Bille, Degema LGA, as well as along Cool Beach general area”.
He said in Delta State, a truck was intercepted conveying over 35,000 litres suspected to be stolen products, adding that at Opumami in Warri South LGA, five wooden boats used for illicit activities were demobilized with 4,000 litres of stolen products recovered.
He said other seizures were made at Obodo Omadino Community in Warri Southsouth LGA where three active illegal refining sites, with several holding facilities and over 3,000 litres of stolen products were handled by the teoop.
In Bayelsa State operations, he said: Troops came under fire from suspected oil thieves, but own superior fire forced the criminals to flee in disarray. In a follow up operations conducted, over 12,000 and 9,000 stolen crude and illegally refined Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) were recovered respectively.
*Other items recovered included, seven wheelbarrows and one motorcycle. Also, around Biseni in Yenagoa LGA, four illegal refining sites were deactivated, with 18 metal oven tanks, drums, metal pipes, hoses and dugout pits with over 5,800 and 200 litres of stolen crude and AGO confiscated respectively.
“Along Biseni – Samabiri road, also in Yenagoa LGA, one Toyota Sequoia Jeep loaded with over 1,750 litres of illegally refined AGO stored in sacks were recovered. Similarly, over 4,000 litres of illegally refined AGO in two separate residential buildings were recovered. The occupants fled and abandoned the vehicle and buildings on sighting troops”.
Danjuma said in Akwa Ibom, over 5, 600 litres of illegally refined premium motor spirit in 20 jerricans of 280 litres were intercepted at Oron LGA noting that the products were suspected to have been primed for smuggling to a neighbouring country through the waterways.
While commending the troops for the operational milestone, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.- Gen. Emmanuel Eric Emekah charged them to sustain the pressure on the criminals and called on economic saboteurs to turn a new leaf and embrace legitimate means of livelihood, or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.
Troops on internal security operations across the country killed 92 terrorists, including a terrorist commander, in the past week.
The troops arrested 111 criminals and rescued 75 kidnap victims, while 101 terrorists, comprising 11 adult males, 39 adult females and 51 children surrendered in the Northeast.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, made this known yesterday during a press conference in Abuja.
He said the troops also achieved some feat in the Niger Delta region, recovering 452,396 litres of stolen crude, 224,175 litres of illegally refined diesel and 1,920 litres of petrol, and 18 oil thieves and bunkerer.
He said: “Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 87 crude oil cooking ovens, 28 dugout pits, 23 boats, 33 storage tanks, 61 drums and 47 illegal refining sites.
“Other items recovered include two pumping machines, three tricycles, five motorcycles, two mobile phones and six vehicles, among others.”
Kangye said troops also recovered 117 high calibre weapons and 2,939 ammunition across the theaters of operation.
According to him, the troops received 58 AK-47 rifles, 21 local guns, 26 dane guns, seven pump action guns, four PKT guns, two GPMGs, one QJC W85 gun, one HK 21 gun, one M60 MG, 11 RPG bombs, two RPG tubes and one 60mm mortar.
“They also recovered a quantity of 2,278 rounds of assorted 7.62mm ammunition, 26 live cartridges, 64 rounds of 9mm ammo, 18 magazines, as well as other eight assorted arms,” he said.
The Defence spokesman said the recovered items and the suspects that were arrested had been handed over to the authorities.
