Our Correspondent
The Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO) General Edward Buba on Friday affirmed that during the month of January 2025, troops neutralized 358 terrorists, arrested 431 suspected terrorists and apprehended 59 perpetrators of oil theft while 249 kidnapped hostages
rescued.
The DDMO who gave the affirmation in a press statement on the ongoing military operations across the theatre operations in Nigeria noted that the Troops continue to sustain the tempo in defeating terrorists and the cohorts in ongoing counter terrorist and insurgency operations across the country.
. According to him, in the South South Zone (SS), troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of over #2 bn (N2,699,660,460.00). Breakdown includes: 2,732,038 litres of stolen crude oil, 42,515 litres of illegally refined AGO, 200 litres of DPK and 2,250 litres of PMS amongst other item.
He informed that the troops recovered 370 weapons and 4,972 ammunitions which includes and not limited to the following: 105 AK47 rifles, 25 locally fabricated guns, 32 dane guns, 23 pump action guns, 3,066 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 758 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 980 cartridges, 72 assorted arms and 500 assorted ammunitions.
General Buba maintained that overall, the armed forces continued to fight admirably in defeating terrorists and their cohorts across the country while remained focussed in creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is assured.
Meanwhile, in the Report on Monthly Review of Joint Task Force Operational Activities for the Month of January 2025 and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the DDMO mentioned that the Troops of Operation HADIN KAI sustained the tempo against terrorist and their cohorts across the NE theatre of operation.
He opined that the Troops recorded the following activities during the period under review; surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters to troops, arrested terrorists collaborators and conduct of different offensive operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Kukawa, Bama, Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State respectively.
Details are as follows:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrs. Between 22 and 29 Jan 25, a total of 31 terr comprising 2 adult males, 9 adult females and 20 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
b. Arrest Operations. Between 21 and 27 January 2025, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 13 BH/ISWAP terrorists and collaborators/informants in Bama, Kukawa and Konduga LGAs of Borno State.
c. Offensive Operations.
On 22 and 24 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP in Geidam LGA of Yobe State as well as Damboa, Gwoza and Monguno LGAs of Borno State respectively.
Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 55 terrorists and arrested 2 as well as recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 141 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 4 magazines, 2 mortar bombs, one mortar base plate, links of shilka rounds, one bandolier, one mobile phone amongst others.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 55 terrorists, arrested 15 suspects and rescued 2 kidnappers hostages. Troops also recovered 17 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 2 mortar bombs, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 41 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, links of shilka rounds, 4 magazines, one bandolier, one motorcycle, one mobile phone amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (NORTH WEST)
The troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the following during the period under review; responded to terrorists activities, arrested terrorists and collaborators as well as conducted offensive operation in Kauru Namoda, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and Jibia LGAs of Sokoto and Katsina States. Troops conducted similar operations in Birnin Gwari, Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State.
Details are as follows:
a. Offensive Operations. Between 21 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and Birnin Gwari LGAs of Sokoto and Kaduna States. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 383 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 PKT rounds, 13 magazines, 11 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
b. Terrosists’ Activities. Between 22 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of terrorists/kidnappers in Jibia, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops neutralized one terrorists, arrested 4 and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one FN rifle, 2 pump action guns, 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine, one vehicle, 2 motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 14 terrorists, arrested 4 persons and rescued 26 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 13 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 2 pump action guns, 2 PKT guns, 471 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 PKT rounds, 14 magazines, one vehicle, 13 motorcycles and 3 mobile phones amongst others.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRLPUNCH (NORTH WEST)
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Kabba-Bunu, Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State as well as AMAC FCT Abuja.
Details are as follows:
a. Offensive Operations.
On 26 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/terrorists in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State and AMAC FCT Abuja respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 24 extremists.
b. Arrest Operations. On 23 and 25 January 2025, base on credible information, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 2 violent extremist and gunrunner in Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH arrested 26 violent extremists.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. Troops also conducted similar operations in Toro LGA of Bauchi State.
Details are as follows:
a. Offensive Operations.
(1) On 23 and 25 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in
Barkin Ladi and Zango Kataf LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 4 extremists and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered the sum of N250,000.00 only.
(2) On 26 January 2025, troops while on patrol responded to a distress call on kidnappers’ activities in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, rescued 12 kidnapped hostages and recovered one round and 8 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo.
b. Arrests Operations. On 25 and 26 January 2025, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 12 violent extremists/terrorists in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State as well as Toro LGA of Bauchi State respectively. Troops also recovered one G3 Rifle loaded with 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammo, one fabricated pistol, 2 cartridges, one vehicle and 16 mobile phones amongst others.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN arrested 19 violent extremists and rescued 17 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one G3 rifle, one locally fabricated pistol, 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammo, 8 empty rounds, 2 live cartridges, 16 mobile phones and the sum N250,000.00 amongst others.
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations in Wukari and Bali LGAs of Taraba State.
Details are as follows:
a. Offensive Operations. On 22 January 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations responded to distress call on kidnapping incident in Wukari LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops rescued one kidnapped hostage and reunite with her family.
b. Arrest Operations. On 16 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops while on offensive operation raided and apprehended one violent extremist/kidnapper identified as Suleiman Musa in Bali LGA of Taraba State.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE arrested one violent extremists and rescued one kidnapped hostage.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products.
Troops also arrested violent extremists and collaborators as well as conducted several offensive operations in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State as well as Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively.
Details as follows:
a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 552,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,900 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 203 crude oil cooking ovens, 16 dugout pits, 4 boats, 22 storage tanks, 13 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 2 tricycles, one motorcycle, 7 bicycles, 2 mobile phones and 4 vehicles among others.
b. Arrest Operations. On 23 January 2025, following a tip off, troops while on operations intercepted and apprehended 2 suspected violent extremists/ex-militants in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State. Troops recovered one Baofeng radio, one breech block of single pump action and one live ammo cartridge.
c. Offensive Operations. On 23 and 26 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/militants in Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively. During the operations, troops apprehended 2 extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 4 magazines, 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 177 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one baofeng radio and 2 mobile phones amongst others.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 552,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,900 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 203 crude oil cooking ovens, 16 dugout pits, 4 boats, 22 storage tanks, 13 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 2 tricycles, one motorcycle, 7 bicycles, 2 mobile phones and 4 vehicles among others.
Troops apprehended 23 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 2 baofeng radios, 6 magazines, 3 assorted arms and 194 assorted ammunitions.
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review; arrested violent extremists and collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
Details as follows:
a. Arrest Operations. On 23 January 2025, following credible reports, troops while conducting offensive operations intercepted and arrested 2 IPOB/ESN terrorists collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
SUMMARY
Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested 2 IPOB/ESN terrorists. Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.
In a similar development, The Troops of OP HADIN KAI sustained the tempo against terrorist and their cohorts across the NE theatre of operation.
The troops conducted offensives striking at terrorist enclaves.
with air attacks.
The ground forces on the other hand exerted significant military pressure on terrorist hibernating in their hide out and enclaves.
During the month of January 2025, troops of Operations HADIN KAI neutralized 193 terrorists, arrested 89 suspects and rescued 39 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recorded 95 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families.
The summary of recovered items include: 44 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 10 dane guns, 42 assorted arms, 1,257 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 366 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 144 assorted ammunitions.
5. Details as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
50
46
42
55
193
2.
Surrendered BHT/Families
–
–
64
31
95
3.
Arrested Terrorists
28
34
12
15
89
4.
Rescued Hostages
14
18
5
2
39
5.
Recovered Weapons
13
44
18
24
99
6.
Recovered Ammunition
331
549
734
153
1,767
7.
Equipment Recovered
15
8
11
7
41
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA (NORTH WEST)
During the month of January 2025, troop of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 95 terrorists, arrested 88 suspects and rescued 96 kidnap hostages. Additionally, troops recovered 43 AK47 rifles, 13 fabricated guns, 15 assorted arms, 1,113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 143 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 209 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
21
16
44
14
95
2.
Arrested Terrorists
24
33
27
4
88
3.
Rescued Hostages
21
33
16
26
96
4.
Weapon Recovered
9
5
42
18
74
5.
Ammunition Recovered
230
180
565
490
1,465
6.
Equipment Recovered
8
2
32
31
73
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following in the month of January 2025. Troops neutralized 7 terrorists, arrested 46 suspects and rescued 4 kidnap hostages.
Troops equally recovered 4 AK47 rifles, 2 assorted arms, 362 rounds of 7.62mm special, 401 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and one assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
7
–
–
7
2.
Arrested Terrorists
–
–
20
26
46
3.
Rescued Hostages
–
–
4
–
4
4.
Weapon Recovered
–
–
2
–
2
5.
Ammunition Recovered
–
–
362
–
362
6.
Equipment Recovered
–
–
1
–
1
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations to several violent extremist hideouts, strongholds and enclaves. During the month of January 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 18 violent extremist, arrested 131 and rescued 54 kidnap hostages. Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 16 fabricated guns, 5 assorted arms, 52 rounds of 7.62mm special, 160 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 24 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
7
7
4
–
18
2.
Arrested Suspects
24
21
67
19
131
3.
Rescued Hostages
11
13
13
17
54
4.
Weapons Recovered
6
2
18
2
28
5.
Ammunitions Recovered
28
29
160
19
236
6.
Equipment
6
3
4
17
30
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Op WHIRL STROKE conducted several operations during the month of January 2025, ranging from search and rescue, raids, fighting patrols as well as cordon and search among others. These operations spanned Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States aimed at defeating terrorist and creating conditions whereby the terrorist is denied the ability to carry out terror or harm citizens.
During the month of Jan 25, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 18 suspects and rescued 19 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifles, 4 assorted arms, 230 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 23 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
–
4
–
4
2.
Arrested terrorists
5
7
5
1
18
3.
Rescued Hostages
3
9
6
1
19
4.
Weapons Recovered
3
–
2
–
5
5.
Ammunition recovered
23
–
–
–
23
6.
Equipment Recovered
2
–
–
–
2
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION DELTA SAFE (SOUTH SOUTH)
Troops of Op DELTA SAFE maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops continued to find and destroyed illegal refining sites as well as arrest the perpetrators of oil theft.
During the month of January 2025, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE arrested 59 persons involved in crude oil theft. Troops also denied the oil theft of 2,732,038 litres of crude oil, 42,515 litres of AGO, 200 litres of DPK and 2,250 litres of PMS.
Furthermore, troops recovered 694 assorted ammunition and destroyed 73 wooden boats as well as 114 illegal refining sites.
Details as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
–
–
–
–
–
2.
Arrested Terrorists
6
29
71
23
59
3.
Rescued Hostages
–
–
–
–
–
4.
Weapons recovered
13
12
10
3
38
5.
Boats destroyed
12
28
29
4
73
6.
Ammunitions Recovered
96
305
99
194
694
8.
Illegal refining sites
10
46
42
16
114
9.
Vehicles
4
8
2
4
18
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
2Troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group in several SE states killing terrorist, making arrest and recoveries of weapons.
During the month of Jan 25, troops of Op UDO KA neutralized 41 terrorists, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 37 kidnap hostages.
Additionally, troops recovered 6 pump action guns, 282 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 89 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 4 assorted arms, 54 live cartridges and one assorted ammunition.
Details are as follows:
Serial
Op Activity
Wk1
Wk2
Wk3
Wk4
Total
Rmks
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
1.
Neutralized Terrorists
17
9
15
–
41
2.
Arrested Terrorists
14
19
22
2
57
3.
Rescued Hostages
10
15
12
–
37
4.
Weapons Recovered
8
1
15
–
24
5.
Ammunitions Recovered
227
165
33
–
425
6.
Equipment Recovered
9
2
10
–
21
