The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja says Nigerian troops neutralised dozens of terrorists, rescued 134 kidnapped victims, and arrested no fewer than 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements in July 2025 alone.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Abuja says Nigerian troops neutralised dozens of terrorists, rescued 134 kidnapped victims, and arrested no fewer than 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal elements in July 2025 alone.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who revealed this in a statement provided updates on the ongoing counterterrorism and anti-crime operations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to Kangye, the Armed Forces, under the guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive, carried out coordinated and intelligence-led operations to “dismantle networks of insurgents, bandits, oil thieves, and other enemies of the state.”
Providing a breakdown, the army spokesperson disclosed that several high-profile terrorists, including Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu, and Ali Yar Daribiyar, were killed, while a notable terrorist commander, Ibn Ali, and 151 of his fighters along with their families surrendered. In addition, airstrike missions were launched in Mariga and Rijau LGAs of Niger State and between the Zamfara-Kebbi border under Operation FASAN YAMMA.
He also confirmed the arrest of notorious gunrunners and kidnappers previously placed on a watchlist. They include Yakubu Jubril, Abubakar Yahaya, Isiya Sani, Haruna Abdullahi, Ali Abba, Mallam Aminu Idris, Mohammed Hamisu (aka Mamiyo or Officer Mohammed), Shuaibu Bulama, Isah Abdullahi, and Abdullahi Mohammed. Among those arrested are a suspected cultist, Prince Justin Ishimiri, and an alleged extremist kingpin, Liamdoo Douglas Adekpe, also known as Bajor.
He said,”Within the month of July 2025, troops in various theatres killed large numbers of terrorists, arrested 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, rescued about 134 kidnapped victims, while a terrorists’ commander Ibn Ali and 151 terrorists as well as their family members surrendered to troops.
”Among the terrorists eliminated were despicable terrorists commander Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu and Ali Yar Daribiyar. Additionally, some notorious gunrunners and kidnappers on the troops’ watch list were arrested and taking into custody for interrogation, they include; Yakubu Jubril, Abubakar Yahaya, Isiya Sani, Haruna AbdullahiAli Abba, Mallam Aminu Idris, Mohammed Hamisu (aka Mamiyo or Officer Mohammed), Shuaibu Bulama and Isah Abdullahi as well as Abdullahi Mohammed.
”Others are notorious cultists Prince Justin Ishimiri and an extremist kingpin Liamdoo Douglas Adekpe (aka Bajor). Also, some notable airstrike missions were conducted within Areas of Responsibility of Operation FASAN YAMMA in Mariga and Rijau LGA of Niger State and between the border of Zamfara and Kebbi States.”
He added that the military’s operations were conducted in strict adherence to international humanitarian laws and the rules of engagement. “We remain committed to a professional, coordinated, and intelligence-driven approach to confronting these security challenges,” he stressed.
In the oil-rich Niger Delta, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE reportedly foiled oil theft estimated at over N1.3 billion. “The breakdown indicates 974,976 litres of stolen crude oil, 269,257 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,759 litres of DPK, and 3,447 litres of PMS.They also discovered and destroyed 126 crude oil cooking ovens, 107 dugout pits, 39 boats, 83 storage tanks, 88 drums, 35 vehicles and 73 illegal refining sites,”Kangye said.
Across the North-East, troops of Operation HADIN KAI were active in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States, where they arrested logistics suppliers, dismantled networks, and restored relative peace to displaced communities. “Their effort led to the arrest of terrorists’ logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and their return for farming activities,” Kangye disclosed.
Similarly, troops in the North-West killed several terrorists and arrested nine others in Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto States. Four kidnapped victims were rescued in the process. In the North Central region, under Operation SAFE HAVEN, troops stormed locations in Plateau and Kaduna States, killed extremists, and arrested three suspects, while seven kidnapped victims were freed.
Notably, troops arrested a wanted extremist, Dayabu Idris, and four others in Plateau and Bauchi States. Operation WHIRL STROKE also recorded victories in Benue, Kogi, Niger, the FCT, Taraba, and Nasarawa States, resulting in the arrest of 13 terrorists and recovery of arms, motorcycles, and vehicles.
In the South-East, troops under Operation UDO KA sustained an offensive against IPOB/ESN operatives. “They arrested two suspected IPOB/ESN members, and one of them attempted to escape during an arrest in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State but was eliminated,” Kangye stated. Six others were arrested in separate operations in Enugu, Imo, and Cross River States.