The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists, and other criminals across the country in September, while 39 others surrendered and 180 civilians were rescued during multiple operations.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye.
According to Kangye, the military also recovered 63 arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, and 294 other items, including grenades, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, and vehicles.
He said, “For the month of September, about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals were arrested, 39 of them were surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued. Quantity 63 arms, 4,475 ammunition were recovered, 294 items such as grenades, IED marking materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes were also recovered.
“Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth N112,175,220.00 representing 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK and 1,475 litres of PMS. 41 Illegal refining sites were also destroyed.”
The DHQ further revealed that the oil theft, valued at over N112 million, was intercepted by troops of Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta, with the destruction of 41 illegal refining sites.
Kangye added that troops also seized automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated weapons, live cartridges, and assorted ammunition during different operations.
He said, “Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices making material. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered.”
The military spokesman noted that the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, sustained aggressive operations between September 23 and 30, 2025, targeting Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
He explained that ground forces, working in collaboration with the air component, hybrid troops, and local security groups, carried out coordinated offensives in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu, and Kukawa (Borno); Madagali, Hong, and Mubi South (Adamawa); and Gujba (Yobe).
According to him, the operations led to the neutralisation of several insurgents, destruction of their camps, recovery of arms, and dismantling of logistics networks, which also enabled the safe resettlement of displaced persons and the continuation of farming activities.
He said, “Our ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
“Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.”
The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that the military remains resolute in its nationwide counterinsurgency and anti-crime operations under various theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central, and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.
It also assured the public that monthly updates would continue to be provided to track progress and reinforce confidence in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
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