By Joy Odor
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has informed that the Nigerian military killed over 10,937 notable terrorist leaders, commanders, combatants, arrested 12,538 and rescued 7,063 hostages in 2024 in the fight against armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, crude oil theft, violent extremism, insurgency as well as terrorism among others.
Major General, Edward Buba, the Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO) gave the information on Tuesday in Abuja while given an update on the military operations across the theatre operations.
The DDMO said some of those eliminated in the course of the year include: Dutse Mainasara Idda, Mallam Saleh Umaru, Mohammed Amadu, Chinemerem (aka Bam Bam), Jeremiah Uzuoma (aka Escoba), Tochukwu Awo (aka Ojoto) and Egwuatu amongst others.
Maj Gen Buba opined that the wanted terrorists kingpin, Bello Turji and many of his foot soldiers are just walking corpses, as the military will soon take them out.
The DDMO also narrated that the Nigeria troops recovered 8,815 weapons, 228,004 ammunition and denied the oil theft of an estimated sum over #68 bn (N68,453,376,040.00) only.
“The breakdown of the recoveries are as follows: 4,332 AK47 rifles, 1,244 locally fabricated guns, 838 dane guns, 259 pump action guns, 128,496 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 45,445 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 5,103 cartridges, 2,131 assorted arms and 29,176 assorted ammunition. Others are: 56,223,002 litres of stolen crude oil, 9,735,836 litres of illegally refined AGO, 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS amongst other items.
He maintained that the troop continued relentless and painful pressure on the terrorist enclaves, hideouts and strongholds as an incentive to defeating the terrorist.
According to him, the troops degraded the military capabilities as well as the fighting capabilities of the terrorists.
“Over the last 12 months, troops were confronted by several threats across the country ranging from armed banditry, kidnapping for ransom, crude oil theft, violent extremism, insurgency as well as terrorism among others. Several of these threats adversely affected innocent citizens and disrupted peace and security in the country.
“Troops war effort was therefore designed and crafted to defeat and destroy the terrorists as well as dismantle their terror infrastructure across the country.
“During the course of the year, troops eliminated over a thousand notable terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants among others.
“The roops are focussed on increasingly delivering tangible benefits of their operations for the benefits of citizens.
“Additionally, troops seek to continue to heighten collaboration with neighbouring countries and regional bodies in order to tackle the menace of terrorism.
“Meanwhile, the armed forces assures that, many of what was witnessed in the outgoing year, are indicative of a major defeat of the terrorist in 2025.
“Importantly, troops in the battlefield are in high spirits, fully committed, devoted and believe in the justness of the cause.Troops will be going the extra mile in the new year to get the job done.
“On the whole, the war is not for the armed forces alone, but for all citizens. The military therefore urges more citizens support in order to win the war” he stressed.
In another development, Maj Gen Buba affirmed that the Troops of OP HADIN KAI fought intensely against the terrorist all through the year 2024.
“Troops invaded terrorist hideouts, strongholds and enclaves to flush out terrorist and destroy them wherever they were hibernating.
“Indeed, offensive operations were conducted to known terrorist safe haven such as the Sambisa Forest, Timbuktu Triangle as well as the Tunbums along the Lake Chad Basin. Several terrorist leaders, combatants and the families surrendered as a result of the intensity of troops operations.
“The operations saw to the neutralisation of several BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists commanders including: Amir Garin Manzo, Hussaini Ardo, Abu Mhammed, Buba Kachalla Bukar, Abu Rijab, Ali Modu, Munzur Ya Audu, Abdullahi Maishayi, Abba Tukur, Abu Sule, Ari Gana, Mallam Mohamadu, Jibrila Ahmadu and Saidu Hassan Yellow amongst others. Additionally, troops rescued kidnapped hostages and arrested suspected BH/ISWAP terrorists collaborators.
“Overall, from January till date, troops of Operations HADIN KAI neutralized 3,151 terrorists, arrested 2,503 suspects and rescued 1,605 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recorded 16,171 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists combatants and their families.
“The summary of recovered items include: 1,802 AK47 rifles, 446 fabricated rifles, 438 dane guns, 378 assorted arms, 42,439 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16,336 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 12,429 assorted ammunitions.
Details as follows from January to December
Neutralized Terrorists
182
242
199
248
375
335
254
292
246
198
347
233
3,151
Surrendered BHT/Families
856
1,157
690
714
1,684
3,010
3,976
2,742
565
257
299
221
16,171
Arrested Terrorists
62
57
84
422
286
334
167
254
185
166
268
218
2,503
Rescued Hostages
42
42
94
163
247
237
8
213
183
156
111
109
1,605
Recovered Weapons
246
332
173
305
466
300
178
209
144
130
304
215
3,002
Recovered Ammunition
4,009
6,004
4,444
6,252
11,403
9,031
3,991
5,440
6,099
2,639
7,817
4,408
71,537
Equipment Recovered
148
231
118
205
223
122
108
144
109
127
232
161
1,928
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN significantly restored peace in the Plateau through their operations. The operations resulted in the neutralisation of several terrorist and violent extremist leaders, commanders and combatants.
Additionally , troops in fierce contact with violent extremists/terrorists neutralized several terrorists including: Adamu Usman, Mohammed Sani, Kawu Hamman, Mallam Abubakar Mohd, Mallam Yau Adamu, Emmanuel Pam Dung, Isah Ishiyaku, Abubakar Maijaki, Mohammed Yuro, Mohammed Ardo, Auwal Baba, Allama Bibah Umma, Wetti Alhaji Ibrahim, Dahiru Idi (AKA Yellow), Usman Abdulkadir and Maikudi Danweri amongst others.
“Troops also rescued several kidnapped hostages and arrested suspected violent extremists as well as gunrunners. The offensive posture of troops secured the release of several kidnapped hostages and significantly curtailed the activities of terrorist and violent extremist operating in the threatre of operation.
“Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 447 violent extremist, arrested 1,995 and rescued 1,094 kidnap hostages. Troops also recovered 254 AK47 rifles, 321 fabricated guns, 314 assorted arms, 19,577 rounds of 7.62mm special, 2,962 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 1,805 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows from January to December
Neutralized Terrorists
28
31
2
32
52
66
50
50
22
30
48
36
447
Arrested Suspects
160
187
58
148
203
280
135
290
88
140
170
136
1,995
Rescued Hostages
18
19
11
35
97
183
80
121
104
105
154
167
1,094
Weapons Recovered
139
157
31
65
46
37
43
36
26
42
34
49
705
Ammunitions Recovered
1,433
2,124
1,590
1,504
909
3,256
1,163
3,069
5,982
1,021
1,105
1,720
24,876
Equipment Recovered
70
80
34
38
55
65
14
25
40
19
32
52
524
OPERATION WHIRL STROKE (NORTH CENTRAL)
Troops of Op WHIRL STROKE sustained their operations all through the year in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States. The operations significantly delivered damages to the terrorist fighting capabilities.
Troops hunted the terrorist and destroyed them in areas in which they were hibernating. Troops also arrested several notorious gunner runners, kidnappers and terrorist collaborators. Accordingly, the terrorist were denied the ability to carry out major offensive to harm citizens.
However, troops onslaught largely degraded the potency of violent extremists and neutralized several of their notable leaders including: Rimamy (aka Omo), Terkimbi Injoko, Jacob Uzege, Abdulkadir Yaya, Kingsley, Mathew Tersee, Ali Ibrahim, Yusuf Musa, Usman Umar and Isiah Ioraa. Additionally, troops arrested suspected gunrunners kingpins like: Paul Hammeza, Aondowase Tyoue, Salisu Nasiru, Lomina Bisala, Manuka Sunday, Bulus Ibrahim, Tisen Markus, Markus Grace, Ali Tambaya as well as rescued kidnapped hostages.
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 600 terrorists, arrested 1,006 suspects and rescued 688 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 295 AK47 rifles, 315 assorted arms, 13,055 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,849 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,279 rounds of assorted ammunition.
Details are as follows from January to December
Neutralized Terrorists
85
100
94
60
44
49
24
37
48
20
22
17
600
Arrested terrorists
57
67
27
99
213
107
56
94
53
61
82
90
1,006
Rescued Hostages
16
53
4
57
59
111
59
68
83
60
79
39
688
Weapons Recovered
103
126
65
100
45
26
8
13
30
17
33
17
583
Ammunition recovered
2,908
3,710
1,283
2,144
2,735
879
162
1,481
1,157
741
437
573
17,400
Equipment Recovered
35
42
43
74
107
24
10
26
25
14
37
35
472
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADARIN DAJI (NORTH WEST)
Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI continued all through the year to create a conducive and stable security environment for agricultural activities and other forms of socio-economic activities in KADUNA, KATSINA, KEBBI, SOKOTO and ZAMFARA State in the NW as well as NIGER State in the NC Zone.
Troops activities instigated rival clash among the terrorist groups leading to the death of several terrorist commander in battle for supremacy of rival groups. Also, the synergy between the security agencies and intelligence agencies further resulted to the neutralisation of several terrorists kingpins including: Isiya Boderi, Alhaji Mubale, Baban Yara, Alhaji Kabiru, Lawali Gudau AKA Damina, Buhari Alhaji Halidu AKA Buharin Yadi, Nagala Jabbi, Audu Kalwa, Muhammad Sani AKA Peter, Dan Hajiya, Ga’aye, Akwanga, Bala Gurgu, Yellow, Kucheri and Babban Mutum amongst others.
Overall, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in the course of the year neutralized 2,906 terrorists, arrested 1,826 suspects and rescued 2,616 kidnap hostages.
Additionally, troops recovered 1,450 AK47 rifles, 477 fabricated guns, 576 assorted arms, 31,999 rounds of 7.62mm special, 14,960 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 6,564 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Neutralized Terrorists
248
345
203
297
325
237
152
153
293
163
230
260
2,906
Arrested Terrorists
55
80
25
141
361
357
102
97
126
82
228
172
1,826
Rescued Hostages
246
289
276
143
268
226
144
186
193
80
288
277
2,616
Weapon Recovered
257
348
198
310
289
164
99
68
147
174
150
252
2,456
Ammunition Recovered
4,434
6,612
2,935
7,989
6,130
3,566
2,635
2,635
2,058
4,634
3,224
6,364
55,536
Equipment Recovered
108
175
142
174
160
128
84
87
136
137
128
189
1,648
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)
Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH delivered significant damage to the terrorist military capabilities all through the year. Indeed, troops onslaught resulted in surrendering of terrorist in the NC theatre of operation.
The troops tenacity and operations intensity led to the elimination of several violent extremists and terrorists kingpins including: Boderi Isiya, Buhari Yadi, Mr Rilwanu Ahmad, Mr Jamilu Samaila, Tukur Sharme, Kachalla Dan Mani Na Inna, Kachalla Basiru Zakarriya, Sani Baka Tsine, Inusa Zagon Kuzi, Ibrahim, Tukur and Mr Aminu Hassan AKA Ja’e amongst others
Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH neutralized 742 terrorists, arrested 1,877 suspects and rescued 595 kidnap hostages.
Troops equally recovered 364 AK47 rifles, 302 assorted arms, 12,422 rounds of 7.62mm special, 5,991 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 2,818 assorted ammunitions.
Details are as follows;
Neutralized Terrorists
107
150
25
31
64
102
66
63
88
30
6
10
732
Arrested Terrorists
127
161
98
69
170
163
76
291
81
111
495
35
1,842
Rescued Hostages
18
44
31
17
96
91
97
62
58
52
3
26
569
Weapon Recovered
108
144
30
47
56
58
39
43
67
18
30
20
640
Ammunition Recovered
2,530
3,245
551
2,135
934
1,817
1,063
2,754
8,149
248
410
454
23,836
Equipment Recovered
81
98
21
28
24
90
17
47
46
29
38
15
519
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. Indeed, troops operations spiked the nation’s daily crude oil production to close to 2 million barrels per day.
During the course of the year, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE neutralized 78 terrorists, arrested 2,357 persons involved in crude oil theft and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages.
Troops also denied the oil theft of 56,223,002 litres of crude oil, 9,735,836 litres of AGO, 95,595 litres of DPK and 156,527 litres of PMS. Furthermore, troops recovered 538 assorted weapons, 13,198 assorted ammunition and destroyed 2,019 wooden boats as well as 2,612 illegal refining sites.
Details as follows:
Neutralized Terrorists
10
10
34
9
9
–
–
–
6
–
–
–
78
Arrested Terrorists
296
359
202
164
97
254
137
71
239
126
231
181
2,357
Rescued Hostages
3
3
4
–
–
–
–
45
3
4
11
20
93
Weapons recovered
78
79
60
56
88
39
–
35
13
35
41
14
538
Boats destroyed
235
319
134
74
157
134
91
125
136
195
280
139
2,019
Ammunitions Recovered
859
1,095
698
1,501
6,475
922
53
194
425
429
323
224
13,198
Illegal refining sites
161
246
248
76
288
298
173
63
266
216
378
199
2,612
Vehicles
45
48
50
23
66
51
59
63
44
30
52
28
569
JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION UDO KA (SOUTH EAST)
Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained the momentum in finding, flushing out and destroying IPOB /ESN terrorists at locations in which they hibernate. Additionally, the troops also worked assiduously to curb crude oil theft in the region.
Troops operations intercepted and arrested several IPOB/ESN terrorist. Several terrorist collaborators, gun runners and informants were also arrested.
Overall, during the course of the year, troops of Op UDO KA neutralized 734 terrorists, arrested 974 suspects and rescued 372 kidnap hostages.
Additionally, troops recovered 167 AK47 rifles, 259 pump action guns, 9,004 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2,347 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 6,103 live cartridges, 246 assorted arms and 3,281 assorted ammunition.
Details are as follows:
Neutralized Terrorists
85
106
62
38
123
78
26
34
33
40
41
68
734
Arrested Terrorists
62
69
26
103
115
143
117
82
41
55
80
81
974
Rescued Hostages
9
17
–
50
32
73
19
26
30
35
32
49
372
Weapons Recovered
86
10
77
54
31
317
73
23
13
64
91
82
921
Ammunitions Recovered
2,784
3,422
1,823
1,509
1,066
3,574
1,522
238
78
724
1,625
2,802
21,167
Equipment Recovered
93
104
45
34
27
50
49
33
13
63
84
67
662
