The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant progress in its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and oil theft across Nigeria, revealing the death of over 100 terrorists, the arrest of 100 suspects, and the rescue of 21 kidnapped victims between April 17 and 25, 2025. These results were disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by Major General Markus Kangye, the Director of Defence Media Operations.
Kangye noted that a series of coordinated military operations across various regions of Nigeria had led to impressive outcomes, from the North East to the South South. The military’s operations targeted terrorist cells, criminal syndicates, and illegal oil activities, yielding remarkable successes.
In the North East, troops involved in Operation Hadin Kai launched aggressive offensives against terrorist factions, specifically ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) and JAS (Jama’at Ahl al-Sunnah li-Da’wat al-Jihad), resulting in the surrender of several insurgents and the deaths of dozens of terrorists. The ongoing operation has made significant strides in weakening terrorist operations in the region.
Moving to the North West, troops under Operation Fagge Yamma intensified their efforts, neutralizing insurgents, arresting suspects, and rescuing victims in several states including Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina. The military’s swift and decisive actions have disrupted terrorist activities and provided much-needed relief to the affected communities.
In the North Central region, a combination of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke made substantial headway. From April 18 to 22, troops acted on credible intelligence, resulting in the arrest of over 37 criminal suspects in Plateau and Kaduna states. These operations have been crucial in dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring the safety of civilians in these areas.
The South East also saw significant progress, where troops under Operation Udoka carried out successful raids in states such as Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi. These operations resulted in the killing of several terrorists, the arrest of suspects, and the recovery of arms and explosives. Notably, four kidnapped victims were rescued during these missions, a sign of the military’s focus on securing civilian lives amid the unrest.
In the South South region, Operation Delta Safe has been actively targeting illegal refining sites and oil theft networks. The operation led to the destruction of illegal refining equipment and the seizure of crude oil and petroleum products worth over ₦94 million. From April 18 to 22, troops also encountered terrorists in various communities, where they seized weapons, mobile phones, motorcycles, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), further hampering the operations of criminal groups.
Earlier this month, Operation Delta Safe had already made notable progress by arresting 49 individuals involved in oil theft and dismantling 22 illegal refining sites.
