The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that Nigerian troops, in the past week, rescued no fewer than 122 kidnapped victims, neutralised scores of terrorists, and foiled crude oil theft worth over ₦443 million across different theatres of operation in the country.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that Nigerian troops, in the past week, rescued no fewer than 122 kidnapped victims, neutralised scores of terrorists, and foiled crude oil theft worth over ₦443 million across different theatres of operation in the country.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who gave the update in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the Armed Forces remain “resolute in their mandate to protect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and people of Nigeria.”
According to Kangye, the intensified operations between 21 and 27 August 2025 cut across the North East, North West, North Central, South-South, and South East, resulting in significant operational successes.
“Our troops have denied Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists freedom of action, dismantled criminal networks, and rescued farmers, women and children held captive,” Kangye said. “The Armed Forces will continue to sustain these gains until peace and security is fully restored across Nigeria.”
According to him, in the North East: Terrorists Neutralised, Informants Arrested. “In Borno and Yobe States, troops of Operation Hadin Kai killed several insurgents, rescued five kidnapped victims, and arrested 11 collaborators. Arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, fuel, motorcycles, and ₦70,050 cash were recovered. A member of the Abu Ayuba terrorist syndicate also surrendered in Kaga LGA of Borno State with his weapon”.
He noted that in the North West 76 Hostages were freed in Katsina Airstrike.”Troops of Operation Fansān Yamma upscaled offensive operations in Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Sokoto States. A major highlight was an airstrike in Kankara LGA, Katsina State, which led to the rescue of 76 kidnapped victims. Twenty-eight terrorists and other criminals were arrested, while several were eliminated in firefights”.
Gn. Kangye hinted that in the North Central: Kidnappers, Gunrunners Nabbed, while in the South-South: Oil Theft Worth ₦443m Disrupted, adding that in South East suspected IPOB/ESN members were arrested.
He said”In Plateau and Kaduna States, troops of Operation Safe Haven arrested 19 criminals, killed some terrorists, and rescued seven kidnapped persons. Five gunrunners were also intercepted in Plateau State. Separately, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Kogi, and the FCT rescued 29 kidnap victims, eliminated extremists, and arrested 13 others.
”In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe thwarted massive oil theft operations valued at ₦443,153,650, recovering 294,500 litres of stolen crude oil and 188,450 litres of AGO. Thirteen illegal refining sites, 19 dugout pits, and 13 cooking ovens were destroyed. Thirty-three oil thieves were also arrested.
”Troops of Operation Udo Ka sustained offensive patrols in Imo, Enugu, Abia and Anambra States, where they killed some terrorists and arrested nine suspected IPOB/ESN members.”
Kangye emphasised that the operations were enabling farmers to cultivate their lands unhindered during the farming season.
“These gains are a product of coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic operations with other security agencies and hybrid forces,” he said. “We will not relent until all criminal threats are neutralised and peace is fully restored to Nigeria.”