By Joy Odor
The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Friday conducted various operations in May 2025 to enhance national security, promote stability, and protect national interests.
According to Major General MARKUS KANGYE, the Director Defence Media Operations these operations demonstrated their commitment to addressing emerging threats and ensuring public safety.
He noted that the troops forces engaged in kinetic and non-kinetic operations to combat specific threats, secure citizens, and create a stable environment for economic activities.
Maj Gen Kangye acertainted that the operations were conducted with precision and a focus on minimizing collateral damage and ensuring civilian safety.
According to him, notable achievements include:
– Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over N31 million in May 2025.
– 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined AGO, and other petroleum products were recovered.
– 96 equipment and 27 illegal refining sites were discovered and destroyed.
– Various arms, ammunition, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered.
He highlighted that the AFN remained committed to providing timely and accurate information about our activities and ensuring the safety of our personnel while protecting national interests.
Meanwhile, in a similar development during the Joint Task Force (JTF) North East Operation Hadin Kai in May 2025, troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes:
a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. From 30 May – 4 June 2025, scores of terrorists comprising adult males and females as well as children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightens up during the week.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 30 May – 5 June 2025, troops, in conjunction with security agencies and hybrid forces, conducted offensive operations in Dikwa, Gwoza, Bama, Kondugga, Damboa, Abadam. During the operations, some terrorists were killed while 6 them were arrested. Also, 22 kidnapped victims were rescued. The troops also recovered arms and ammunition as well as bombs, IEDs/IED making materials, hand grenades, anti-Aircraft ammunition, motorcycles, and vehicles amongst others.
c. Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators. Troops arrested 16 terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators and a drug peddlers in well-coordinated operations conducted in Damaturu, Yunusari and Geidam LGAs of Yobe State a well as Damboa, Konduga Gwoza and Kaga on 1 – 4 June 2025. Amongst the items recovered were IED making materials, armmoured, fabric matrials,mobile phones, motorcycles, and vehicles, while the sum of N38,900.00 was also recovered from them.
d. Rescued of kidnapped victims. Troops, using non-kinetic efforts, rescued 12 kidnapped victims that escaped from terrorists’ camps around Tumbun Dilla in Kukawa LgA of Borno State on 30 May 2025.
e. Terrorists Activities. Troops responded to information about terrorists’ activities in Biu, Mobbar, and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State from 30 May – 2 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 16 kidnapped victims when 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 30 May – 5 June 2025, troops made contact with terrorists during fighting patrols conducted in Sabon Birni, Gorono, Isa, LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Giwa and Chikun LGAs of Kaduna State. They also conducted operations in Kaura Namoda and Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State. During the encounters, some terrorists were eliminated while 3 of them were arrested. Also, 4 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 Kankara and dandume LGAs of Katsina State as well as Kaura Namoda, Bakura, Talata Mafara, Anka and Maradun LGAs of Zamfara State from 1 – 5 June 2025. During the encounters, troops killed some terrorists and rescued 2 kidnapped victims.
c. Arrest. Beween 1 – 2 June 2025, troops acting on a tip-off arrested one female adult, suspected to be an ally to wanted terrorists leader, Kamalu and 3 others in Sabo and Tafa LGAs of Sokoto and Niger states respectively.
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 30 May – 3 June 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Riyom, Wase, Mangu, Qua’An Pan, Bassa and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State. They also conducted operations to the border between Plateau and Taraba State. During the encounters, our gallant troops killed some extremists, arrested 4 and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from them.
b. Arrest. From 30 May – 2 June 2025, troops acting on a tip-off arrested 7 suspected criminals/kidnappers in Maangu, Bassa Bakin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State
c. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to credible intelligence about criminal activities in Riyom, Bassa, Bokkos, Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State between 30 May – 2 June 2025. During the operations, some extremists were killed, while 3 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. Between 29 May – 3June2025, troops while conducting offensive operations, made contact with extremists in Lafia, Keffi, Kokona, Keana Karu and Doma LGAs of Nsarawa State as well as Logo, Guma, Markudi, Gwer East, Apa, Konshisha and Ger West LGAs of benue State. They further conducted similar operations in Karim Lamido, Lau, and taakum LGAs of Taraba State as well as Kabba-Bunu and Lokoj LGAs of Kogi State. During the encounters, our gallant troops eliminated some extremists, arrested 5 suspected criminals identified as Shimu Ilu Adamu, Ismaila Ilu Hassan, and HIU Michaae otherwise known as Matches as well as 6 others. Troops, also 2 kidnapped victims. Overall, they recovered from the extremist/ criminal arms and ammunition, motorcycles, vehicles, mobile phones, and the sum of N534,600.00.
b. Arrest. Similarly, troops acted on a tip-off, raided a residence of a suspected arrested him, identified as Shittu Muazu Bakasi in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State on 30 May 2025. Items recovered from his residence were weapons and ammunition, military uniforms and accoutrement, as well as motorcycle and mobile phone. In other developments, 16 criminals were also arrested during the week in Kogi, Lokoja LGAs of Kogi State, as well as Karu and Suleija LGAs of Nasarawa and Niger States respectively. Others were apprehended in Owan West LGA of Edo State. Troops recovered weapons and ammunition, laptops, vehicles, motorcycles, and the sum of N438,810.00. The criminals were handed over to appropriate authority for further action.
c. 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 Gwer East and Gwer West LGAsBenue State as well as Doma LGA of Nasarawa State. During the operations, some criminals were killed, 3 were arrested, and 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones, motorcycles, and vehicles 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 77,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 10,340 litres of illegally refined AGO, and 2,700 litres of DPK and 1,240 litres of PMS. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 34 dugout pits, 13 boats, one barge, one tug boat,40 storage tanks, 9 drums, and 18 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and 9 vehicles. Furthermore, 27 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
b. Counter/Anti Kidnapping and Criminality Operations. Between 30 May – 1 June 2025, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Sapele LGA of Delta State. During the operations, some 3 criminals were arrested, while some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones, laptops, television sets, and vehicle from them.
c. Arrest. Similarly, Between30 May – 4 June 2025 troops, acting on a tip-off arrested 13 suspected vandals/criminals in Sapele, Aniocha North and Ugheli LGAs of delta State as well as Degema and Ekeremor LGAs of Rivers and Bayelsa 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 and arrested 4 suspected criminals in Abakalaki and Ikwo LGAs of Ebonyi State as well as Onitsha North LGAAnambra State. Troops recovered arms, ammunition, and vehicle from them. The suspects were handed over to appropriate authority for necessary action.
CLOSING REMARKS
11. In conclusion, troops of AFN remain committed to denying terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements freedom of action in the country. The success of ongoing operations is a testament to the determination and resilience of our troops, who continue to work tirelessly to secure our nation. The Defence Headquarters commends the bravery and professionalism of the troops involved in all operations and assures Nigerians of its continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. You are pleased to disseminate this information to the general public.
