The Defence Headquarters has revealed significant achievements in its counterterrorism and anti-crime efforts during the first week of 2025, announcing the elimination of 109 terrorists and the arrest of 81 suspects across various operations.
This was disclosed by Major General Buba Edward, Director of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Friday. He highlighted the military’s unrelenting commitment to combating insurgency, criminality, and sabotage throughout the country.
Providing an update on the operations conducted nationwide, Buba said, “During the week under review, troops neutralised 109 terrorists, arrested 81 suspects, and rescued 43 kidnapped hostages.”
Breaking down the operations by theatre, Buba reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 64 terrorists, arrested 28 suspects, and rescued 14 kidnapped victims.
“On January 3, 2025, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, as part of its ongoing offensive operations against terrorists, conducted an air interdiction at Alawa Forest in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were eliminated, and their structures, along with logistics, were destroyed.
“Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralised 21 terrorists, arrested 24 individuals, and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages,” he added.
Buba also stated that in the Niger Delta, troops apprehended six individuals involved in oil theft and prevented the theft of crude oil valued at ₦618,756,470.
He said, “In the SS, troops foiled oil theft amounting to an estimated ₦618,756,470. Additionally, 10 illegal refining sites, 12 boats, 10 crude oil cooking ovens, and other infrastructure used in illegal operations were destroyed.”
