The Nigerian Armed Forces have recorded major successes in the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across the country, eliminating scores of terrorist kingpins and arresting 1,191 suspects between April and June 2025.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Armed Forces have recorded major successes in the ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-banditry operations across the country, eliminating scores of terrorist kingpins and arresting 1,191 suspects between April and June 2025.
This was disclosed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, during a quarterly press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Kangye, the military intensified operations across multiple theatres including Operation Hadin Kai, Operation Fagge Yamma, Operation Safe Haven, Operation UDO KA, and Operation Delta Safe, among others.
“Within the period under review, our troops neutralised several notorious terrorist leaders and their foot soldiers. Among those eliminated were dreaded commanders such as Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, and Nwachi Eze, also known as Onowu,” he said.
He added that just two days ago, a notorious bandit kingpin known as Yellow Danbokkolo died from injuries sustained in a firefight with troops the previous week, where several of his lieutenants were also neutralised.
In addition to the killings, Kangye revealed that 1,191 criminal suspects, including gunrunners and kidnappers, were arrested and are currently in custody undergoing interrogation.
Those apprehended include Buhari Umar, Hassam Mohammed, Saleh Sani, Adamu Dan Mai, Idi Yusuf, Hassan Bello, Muhammed Isah, Shimu Adamu, Ismaila Hassan, Michael, and Shittu Muazu.
He said troops also rescued 543 kidnapped victims, reaffirming the military’s commitment to ending insecurity in the country.
Kangye noted that intensified operations also triggered mass surrenders by insurgents.
“About 682 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and their families surrendered during the quarter under review. This is a testament to the pressure mounted by our troops and their overwhelming firepower,” he said.
On economic sabotage, Kangye said troops under Operation Delta Safe foiled crude oil thefts estimated at over N3.5 billion.
The recovered items include:
”2.38 million litres of stolen crude oil
”605,393 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO)