Update From DHQ :Troops Neutralises Over 79 Terrorists,Commander, Rescues 67 Hostages, Arrests 224 In one week

By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ)it’s troops neutralised 79 terrorists,Commander, rescued 67 kidnapped hostages, arrested 224 in the last one week.

The military intensified ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the nation.

A statement by Major General Edward Buba, Director Defence Media(DDMO) on Friday in Abuja quotes “The operations particularly targeted not just the terrorist but their network of collaborators, informants and support base.

According Major. General Buba” troops in North Central Operational Theatre neutralised a notorious terrorist commander, and gun runner identified as  Abu Mosaje in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. Additionally, same troops apprehended  a wanted kidnap kingpin that was on security watch list identified as Babangida Gora Usman. He was arrested in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

Furthermore, troops  arrested another notorious gunrunner and his son identified as Timothy Yusuf and Timothy Obadiah. Meanwhile, in the South East, troops arrested 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists including a notorious kidnapper and  informants in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States.

Nevertheless, during the week under review, troops neutralised 79 and arrested 224 persons. Troops also arrested 28 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 67 kidnapped hostages.

In the SS, troops denied the oil theft of the estimated sum of Seven Hundred and Forty Seven Million Secenty Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten Naira (N747,070,710.00) only. Additionally, troops  discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.

Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines, 2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others. Troops recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO and 200 litres of DPK.

Furthermore, across all the theatres of operations, troops recovered 104 assorted weapons and 1,953 assorted ammunition. The breakdown as follows: 53 AK47 rifles, 25 fabricated rifles, one FN rifle, 11 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, one fabricated SMG, 4 IEDs, 7 RPG bombs, 30 magazines, 4 IEDs and 3 locally made butts.

Others are: 1,186 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 417 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 12 live cartridges, 3 bandoliers, one baofeng, 35 motorcycles, 22 mobile phones amongst other items.

  Overall, troops remain steadfast in destruction of terrorists across the country. Even as the armed forces remains committed to creating conditions in which the safety and security of citizens is guaranteed.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following activities during the period under review; surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters to troops and arrest of terrorists collaborators. Additionally, offensive operations were conducted in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) , Konduga, Hawul, Kukawa, Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State as well as Nguru and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.

 Details are as follows:

a. Surrender of ISWAP Terrs. Between 9 and 15 Jan 25, a total of 64 terrorists fighters and their families comprising 8 adult male 20 adult females and 36 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations.
b. Arrest Operations.
(1) On 13 and 15 January 2025, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and apprehended 2 terrorists collaborators and ammo racketeer in MMC and Nguru LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectively. During the operations, troops 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 11 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and one magazine amongst others.
(2) Between 15 and 21 January 2024, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and apprehended 10 BH/ISWAP terrorists and collaborators in Konduga, Hawul and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State as well as Galda Fika LGA of Yobe State.
c. Offensive Operations.
(1) On 13 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations ambushed terrorists and foiled attack on facilities in Biu and Gujba LGAs of Borno and Yobe States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 12 terrorists and recovered 8 AK47 rifles, one FN rifle, 6 RPG bombs, 5 magazines, 439 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 114 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one baofeng radio and 3 motorcycles amongst others.
(2) On 19 and 21 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists in Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, troops rescued 5 kidnapped hostages and recovered one AK47 rifle, one RPG bomb, one dane gun, 33 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 49 rounds of 12.6mm ammo and one magazine amongst others.

Overall, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralized 12 terrorists, arrested 64 suspects and rescued 5 kidnappers hostages. Troops also recovered 9 AK47 rifles, one dane gun, one FN rifle, 7 RPG Bombs, 560 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 125 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 49 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 7 magazines, one baofeng radio and 3 motorcycles amongst others.




The troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the following during the period under review; arrested terrorists and their collaborators as well as conducted offensive operation in Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State. Similar offensive operations were conducted in Dutsin Ma and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Jibia and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. Troops also conducted offensive operations Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

Details are as follows:

a. Terrorists Activities. Between 13 and 15 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of terrorists in Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State as well as Jibia and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. During the operations, troops rescued 6 kidnapped hostages including a child as well as recovered one AK47 rifle, one magazine, 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 locally made butts and 3 motorcycles.
b. Arrest Operations. On 15 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested 2 terrorists in Faskari LGA of Katsina State. During the operations, troops recovered one vehicle among other.
c. Offensive Operations. Between 17 and 20 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Shinkafi and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Dutsin Ma and Isa LGAs of Sokoto State. Additionally, troops conducted offensive operations in Chikun LGAs of Kaduna State. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 34 terrorists and arrested 10 terrorists and collaborators. Troops also recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 234 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 190 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 11 magazines, 3 bandoliers, 5 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones amongst others.

Air Interdiction. On 17 January 2025, following credible reports and confirmatory ISR in conjunction with land ground troops, the air component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA conducted air interdiction in Fakai Hill in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. Accordingly, the target was acquired and engaged with rockets and bombs. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that numbers of terrorists were eliminated.

Overall, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA neutralized 44 terrorists, arrested 27 persons and rescued 16 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 264 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 111 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 190 rounds rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 3 locally made butts, 3 bandoliers, 12 magazines, 8 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones amongst others.

Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations in Jibia and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State as well as Gwagwalada and AMAC FCT Abuja. Troops also conducted offensives in Mariga LGA of Niger State.

Details are as follows: 

a. Arrest Operations. On 16 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops while on patrol intercepted and arrested 2 violent extremists/ammo couriers in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops recovered 362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo among others .
b. Offensive Operations. Between 14 and 19 January 2024, troops conducted against terrorists/kidnappers in Jibia and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State as well as Mariga LGA of Niger State as well as AMAC FCT Abuja. During the operations, troops arrested 18 terrorists and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 2 locally fabricated rifles and one magazine.

Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH arrested 20 persons and rescued 4 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered 362 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 fabricated rifles, one magazine amongst others.

Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations in Barkin Ladi, Jos South, Bassa and Bokkos LGAs Plateau State as well as Sanga and Zango Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.

Details are as follows: 

a. Arrest Operations.
(1) On 13 and 15 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 5 violent extremists in Barkin Ladi and Sanga LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States. Similarly, troops apprehended a wanted kidnap kingpin identified as Babangida Gora Usman in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.
(2) Between 16 and 20 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to activities of violent extremists in Jos South, Barkin Ladi, Bassa and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf LGA of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 53 extremists including one notorious gunrunner and his son identified as Timothy Yusuf and Timothy Obadiah. Troops also recovered, 7 AK47 rifles, 11 fabricated rifles, 4 magazines and 160 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo amongst others.
b. Offensive Operations.
(1) On 15 January 2025, following credible report, troops arrested notorious terrorist/gunrunner identified as Abu Mosaje in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. During the operations, terrorist attempted to disarm and escaped but was neutralized in contest. Also, troops recovered cache of arms and ammo.
(2) On 15 and 20 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations responded to distress calls on kidnap incidents and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages in Jos South and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State as well as Sanga LGA of Kaduna State.

Overall, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 67 persons and rescued 13 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 7 AK47 rifles, 11 locally fabricated guns, 160 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 4 magazines amongst others.

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/ammo dealer and conducted offensive operations in Katsina-Ala LGA of Benue State as well as Gassol and Bali LGAs of Taraba State.

Details are as follows: 

a. Offensive Operations. On 13 January 2025, troops conducted separate offensive operations against violent extremists/kidnappers in Katsina-Ala and Gassol LGAs of Benue and Taraba States respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 2 terrorists, arrested one and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle and one fabricated SMG gun amongst others.
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.

Overall, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized 4 terrorists, arrested 5 violent extremists and rescued 6 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle and one locally fabricated SMG amongst others.

. 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 Sapele, Oshimili South and Warri South LGAs of Delta State as well as Onelga and Oron LGAs of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

Details as follows:

a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO and 200 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines,2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, one HH radio, 11 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others.
b. Arrest Operations. On 15 and 17 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/illegal bunkerers and vandals in Sapele, Warri South and Oshimili South LGAs of Delta State as well as Onelga LGA of Rivers State respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 13 extremists and recovered 2 HH radios and 6 mobile phones.
c. Offensive Operations. On 18 January 2025, troops conducted offensive operations against violent extremists/sea pirates. Troops subsequently rescued 11 kidnapped hostages in Oron LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

Overall, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 842,685 litres of stolen crude oil, 12,340 litres of illegally refined AGO and 200 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 215 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 29 boats, 62 storage tanks, 20 drums and 42 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include one barge, one tug boat, 2 pumping machines, 2 speedboats, 9 outboard engines, 2 vehicles, 21 motorcycles, 11 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others.

Troops rescued 11 kidnapped hostages as well as apprehended 71 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 3 HH radios, 4 magazines, 10 assorted arms and 99 assorted ammunitions.

Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review; arrested violent extremists and collaborators as well as conducted offensive operations Enugu North and Isi-Uzo LGAs of Enugu State as well as Isiala-Ngwa and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Abia and Imo States. Similarly, troops conducted operations in Orumba North and Isuikwuato LGAs Anambra States.

Details as follows:

a. Arrest Operations.
(1) On 13 and 16 January 2025, base on credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 7 IPOB/ESN terrorists including kidnapper informants in Enugu North and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States as well as Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State. During the operations, troops recovered one vehicle among others.
(2) Between 16 and 20 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of IPOB/ESN terrorists in Isiala-Ngwa and Ohaji/Egbema LGAs of Abia and Imo States as well as Isi-Uzo LGA of Enugu State. During the operations, troops arrested 5 terrorists/collaborators as well as recovered 3 dane gun, one locally fabricated gun, 21 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 12 cartridges, 3 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.
b. Offensive Operations. On 14 January 2025, combined troops conducted offensive operations to IPOB/ESN terrorists hideout and made contact in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 10 terrorists and recovered 5 AK47 rifles, 2 pump action guns, 4 IEDs and 2 magazines amongst others.
c. Terrorist Activities. On 13 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on terrorists activities and rescued 15 kidnapped hostages including kidnapped personnel in Enugu North LGA of Enugu State.

Overall, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralized 15 terrorists, arrested 22 violent extremists and rescued 12 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered 5 AK47 rifles, one fabricated rifle, 3 dane guns, 2 pump action guns, 4 IEDs, 21 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 12 live cartridges, 2 magazines, 3 motorcycles and 5 mobile phones amongst others.Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authority for further action.