By Joy Odor
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed its commitment to ensuring national security and defending the country’s sovereignty.
According to Major General MARKUS KANGYE the Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO) during a press conference on the weekly ongoing military operations across the federation by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the AFN has been conducting strategic operations to counter threats and maintain peace across the nation.
“As part of our unwavering commitment to ensuring national security and defending our sovereignty, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to undertake strategic operations to counter threats and maintain peace across our country.
“Today, we reaffirm our resolve to protect the lives and property of our citizens, uphold the rule of law, and foster a safe and secure environment for all Nigerians.
“We remain dedicated to transparency and will keep the public informed of our ongoing efforts to ensure the stability and security of our great nation.
“In line with our steadfast dedication to safeguarding national security and upholding the sovereignty of our beloved country, the Armed Forces of Nigeria persist in executing meticulously planned strategic operations that effectively decimate potential threats and uphold peace within our borders.
“It is imperative to emphasize that our primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of every Nigerian citizen, as well as to maintain the sanctity of their properties.
“By strictly adhering to the rule of law, we aim to create a harmonious society where justice prevails and every individual’s rights are respected.
“Moreover, our unwavering commitment extends to fostering a climate of safety and security that transcends all regions of our diverse nation” DDMO stressed.
He informed that recent operations have yielded significant successes, including:
– Foiling oil theft worth over N146 million in the Niger Delta region
– Recovering large quantities of arms and ammunition
– Eliminating terrorists and rescuing kidnapped victims in various parts of the country
– Arresting terrorist collaborators and logistics suppliers
– Destroying illegal refining sites and crude oil cooking ovens.
Accordingly, our troops across all theatres demonstrated uncommon bravery and professionalism during the week under review.
“For instance, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over One Hundred and Forty Six Million, Six Hundred and Fourteen Thosan, Three Hundred and Eighty Naira (N146,614,380.00) only.
“The breakdown indicates: 142,960 litres of stolen crude oil, 39,175 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 29,500litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 73 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 51 storage tanks, 28 drums, and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 12 vehicles.
“Additionally, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered” he noted.
Maj Gen Kangye opined that the AFN’s efforts are aimed at creating a safe and secure environment for all Nigerians, upholding the rule of law, and fostering a climate of peace and stability.
The DDMO affirmed the military’s commitment to transparency and accountability is evident in its regular updates and engagement with the public.
He maintained that the AFN values the support and cooperation of citizens in its efforts to overcome security challenges and build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria.
“Through proactive measures and vigilant monitoring, we strive to create an environment where every Nigerian can thrive without fear or apprehension.
“By engaging with the populace and soliciting their support along our non-kinetic lines of operation, we reinforce the collective efforts required to safeguard our national interests and preserve the peace that defines us as a nation.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH EAST OPERATION HADIN KAI
5. During the week, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. From 6 – 11 June 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males and females as well as children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightened up during the week.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 6 – 10 June 2025, troops, in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Gwoza, Ngala and Marte LGAs of Borno State as well as Bade and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State. During the operations, some terrorists were eliminated while one drug peddler was arrested. Also, 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as IEDs/IED making materials, motorcycles, and vehicles amongst others. Terrorists’ camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
c. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. Troops arrested 5 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a Chinese nationale claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State between 5 – 7 June 2025. Amongst the items recovered were vehicle, motorcycle, mobile phones, Chinese International passport, while the sum of N10,000.00 was also recovered from them.
d. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno State as well as Nangere LGA of Yobe State from 6 – 9 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons and ammunition were recovered from them. their camp and equipment were burnt insitu.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WEST OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA
6. Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following within the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 6 – 11 June 2025, troops made contact with terrorists during fighting patrols conducted in Shinkafi, Maru, Tsafe and Zurmi LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Tangaza, and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State. They also conducted operations in Dan-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State. During the encounters, some terrorists were killed. Also, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some weapons, as well as assorted ammunition and motorcycles, were also recovered.
b. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Malumfashi, Sabuwa and kankara LGAs of Katsina State as well as Tangaza, Sabon Birni and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State. They also conducted operations in Kaduna North and Danko-Wasagu LGAs of Kaduna and Kebbi States from 6 – 11 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped victims.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION SAFE HAVEN
7. During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:
a. Offensive Operations. From 5 – 10 June 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Riyom and Bassa LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. During the encounters, our gallant troops killed some extremists, arrested 3 and rescued one kidnapped victim. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them.
b. Arrest. From 8 June 2025, troops acting on a tip-off arrested one suspected cattle rustler in Riyom LGA of Plateau State. The recovered rustle cattle were handed over to the owner while the criminal was handed over to the police for further investigation.
c. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to credible intelligence about criminal activities in Bassa, Mangu, Jos North, Riyom, Jos South and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State between 6 – 9 June 2025. During the operations, some extremists were killed, while 4 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles and livestock were also recovered from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE
8. Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review;
a. Offensive Operations. On 9 June 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with an extremist who engaged troops but was neutralized in Wamba LGA of Nasarawa State. A rifle and ammunition, one magazine as well as a mobile phone were recovered from him.
b. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Gwer West and Nasarawa LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa State as well as Bali LGA of Taraba State from 6 – 8 June 2025. During the encounters, troops arrested 2 of them, while one kidnapped victim was rescued.
c. Arrest. Similarly, troops acted on a tip-off, arrested 3 criminals in Ukum and Keana LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa States on 7 and 8 June 2025 respectively. Arms, ammunition, extra magazines and mobile phones were recovered from them.
d. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Between 30 May – 3 June 2025, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Baruten and Gwer East LGAs of Kwara and Benue State. During the operations, 2 criminals were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones and motorcycles from them.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE
9. Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review:
a. Destruction of Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 121,035 litres of stolen crude oil, 19,650 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 7,140 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 40 storage tanks, 28 drums, and 21 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 9 vehicles. Furthermore, 23 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Between 7 and 8 June 2025, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Okigwe and Aniocha LGAs of Imo and Delta States. During the operations, 2 criminals were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones and motorcycles from them.
c. Arrest. Similarly, Between 6- 10 June 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 9 suspected vandals/criminals in Okirika, Etche and Akuku-Toru LGAs of Rivers as well as Ogbia, and Aniocha North LGAs of Bayelsa and Delta State respectively.
JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EAST OPERATION UDO KA
10. Troops of Operation UDO KA have sustained offensive operations during the period under review:
a. Offensive Operations. From 8- 10 June 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremist Aguta and Effium Ohaukwu LGAs of Anambra and Ebonyi States respectively. During the encounters, one extremist was killed, while 2 were arrested. Some weapons and ammunition, as well as vehicles were recovered from him.
b. Arrest. Similarly, Between 6 – 9 June 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 8 suspected extremists in Isuikwuato and Aguta LGAs of Abia and Anambra State respectively. They recovered weapons and ammunition as well as stolen vehicles and a laptop computer.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria are unwavering in their commitment to the ongoing mission of safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation and ensuring peace and stability across all regions. This dedication is exemplified by the tireless efforts of our personnel who work tirelessly day and night to protect our borders and maintain security. Their resilience in the face of challenges is truly commendable and serves as a testament to their unwavering loyalty to the nation.
It is crucial to acknowledge the vital role that the public plays in supporting our Armed Forces. The cooperation and support of citizens are essential in our collective efforts to overcome any obstacles that may arise. By standing united and working together, we can effectively address any threats to our national security and build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria for generations to come.
As we move forward, we are committed to keeping the nation informed of our progress and future endeavors. Transparency and communication are key pillars of our operations, and we strive to maintain open channels of dialogue with the public.
Your trust and confidence in our Armed Forces are deeply valued, and we assure you that we will continue to uphold the highest standards of service and professionalism in all that we do.
