Fresh Update From DHQ :Troops Neutralises Over 217 Terrorists, Arrest 528, Rescue Kidnapped Hostages And Recovers 7,541 Weapons.

By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA

Defence Headquarters (DHQ)said it’s troops neutralised Over 217 Terrorists, arrested 528 ,Rescued  kidnapped hostages and recovered over 7, 541 weapons in the month of February 2025 operations across the country.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Markus Kangye has on thursday in Abuja informed that ,During the week under review, troops of the Armed Forces conducted joint operations with the ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces. These operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.

According to Maj.Gen. In the cause of the operations, they neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. They also, conducted several close air supports, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions. 
 
For instance, in the month of February 2025, a total of 217 terrorists were neutralized, 574 suspected others were arrested while 152 surrendered. Troops also apprehended 122 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 320 kidnapped hostages.

  In the South South region, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Two Billion, One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Nine Hundred and Fourteen Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Two Naira (N2,199,914,942.00) only. The breakdown includes: 1,790,934 litres of stolen crude oil, 402,936 litres of illegally refined AGO and600 litres of DPK.

    In a related development, troops recovered 296 and 7,245 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 159 AK47 rifles, 54 locally fabricated guns, 36 dane guns, 19 pump action guns, 4,836 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 1,506 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 235 cartridges as well as other 28 assorted arms and 668 assorted ammunitions.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:

a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 20 – 26 February 2025, a total of 37 terrorists comprising 5 adult males, 13 adult females and 19 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 18 – 24 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops conducted raids/ambushes operations and made contact with terrorists in Ngala, Biu, Bama, Damboa, Konduga and Mobbar LGAs of Borno State. During the operations, they neutralized 16 and arrested 9 terrorists while 4 kidnapped hostages were rescued. 11 AK 47 rifles, one dane guns, 4 locally fabricated rifles,  308 rounds of 7.62 mm special, 52 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo and 4 magazines were recovered.
c. Arrest of ISWAP Terrorists Collaborators. From 20 – 24 February 2025, in separate offensive patrols, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces intercepted 19 BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in Bama, Konduga, Gwoza, Jere,  Dikwa and Askira Uba LGAs of Borno State as well as Damaturu and Fikka LGAs of Yobe State. They recovered 11 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 vehicles and 7 mobile phones, as well as the sum of N1,37,070.00 only.

7.   Air Interdiction.  Following intelligence and confirmatory ISR of terrorists mounting checkpoint  in Tcholls, Lake Chad Basin, Cameroun. The air component of Operation HADIN KAI on 20 February 2025 conducted multiple air interdictions on the acquired targets with bombs and rockets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that several terrorists were neutralized while logistics destroyed.

Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:

a. Offensive Operations.  
(1) Between 20 – 22 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops with ONSA Tac Team conducted fighting and ambush operations and made contact with terrorists in Kachia and Kauru LGAs of Kaduna State. Following a fire fight, 11 terrorists were neutralized, 2 were arrested while 5 kidnapped hostages were rescued. 7 AK47 rifles, 1 locally fabricated rifles, 2 dane guns, 188 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 5 motorcycles were recovered.
(2) Between 20 – 23 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops made contact with terrorists in Zurmi, Shinkafi, Maru, Gusau and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Rabah and Wurno LGAs of Sokoto State. Following a fire fight, 14 terrorists were neutralized, 5 were arrested while 16 kidnapped hostages were rescued. 13 AK47 rifles, 6 locally fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, one pistol, 221 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 21 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm ammo,  2 QJC mounts,one PKT barrel, 5 empty boxes of 12,7mm x 108 ammo, 2 boefeng, 7 AK47 magazine, and 13 motorcycles were recovered.
b. Terrorists Activities.    On 18 – 23 February 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities in Isa, Sabon Birni and Rabah LGAs of Sokoto State, as well as Maradun, Munya, Wushishi and Faskari LGAs of Zamfara, Niger and Katsina States respectively. On arrival, 4 terrorists were neutralized  while 27 victims were rescued. 3 AK47 rifles, 4 dane guns, 132 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 14 live cartridges, 16 motorcycles and 2 vehicles were recovered. 
c. Arrest. On 19 February 2025, following intelligence reports, troops apprehended 4 terrorist in Bukkuyum  LGA of Zamfara State and Sokoto Central Market as well as in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara and Illela LGA of Sokoto State respectively. 
9.   Air Interdiction.  On 21 February 2025, the air component of Operation FASAN YAMMA conducted air interdiction in response to credible intelligence obtained from the Nigerian Army Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems in Kaduna. Following the confirmatory on sighting terrorist were moving large herds of rustled livestock around Pangu Gari, in Niger State, targets were acquired and attacked with rockets. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that terrorists were neutralized. Similarly, on the same day, another air interdiction with multiple passes was conducted at terrorists hibernating ground in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State. Battle Damage Assessment revealed that terrorists were neutralized

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION WHIRL PUNCH (NORTH WEST)

10. In the week under review, troops successfully achieved the following in Operation WHIRL PUNCH:

a. Offensive Operations.   Between 19 – 25 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Hong, Mubi South and Girei LGAs of Adamawa State as well as Toro and Patigi LGAs of Bauchi and Kwara States respectively. Raid operation was also conducted in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Abuja. During the operations 4 terrorists were neutralized, 54 were arrested while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. They recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 113 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 6 live cartridges, 3 motorcycles and 6 mobile phones among others.
b. Arrest.  
(1) On 19 February 2025, following credible intelligence, troops arrested one extremists’ collaborator in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State. They recovered 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one mobile phone. 

JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION SAFE HAVEN (NORTH CENTRAL)

During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:

a. Offensive Operations. Between 17 – 19 February 2025, troops responded to distress calls about violent extremist/criminal activities in Jos East,  Pankshin, Bokkos and Qua’an Pan LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State.  During the operations, troops neutralized 2, arrested a notorious extremist who is on troops watchlist identified as Ali Yakubu (aka yellow million) and 3 others while 3 hostages were rescued. They recovered 2 AK47 rifles, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and 2 mobile phones.
b. Arrests.    
(1) Between 18 – 24 February 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists/criminals in Kanam, Bassa, Pankshin, Jos South, Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. On arrival, 13 criminals were arrested and 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. Troops recovered 2 locally made rifles, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 2 vehicles, 9 mobile phones and the sum of N9,620.00 only among others.
(2) On 21 February 2024, following credible report about movement of arms and ammo by a nototrious kidnapper along Kachia – Jos road. troops intercepted one notorious kidnappers identified as Yakubu Adamu with 145 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo in Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State. 
c. Counter/Anti Kidnappin Criminal Activities. Between 19 – 24 February 2025, troops while on counter/anti kidnapping and criminal operations responded to information about kidnapping incidents in Jos North, Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State. On arrival, 2 kidnappers were neutralized, 4 were arrested while 7 victims were rescued.

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review: 

a. Offensive Operations.   Between 19 – 25 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Lau LGA of Taraba State, as well as Logo and Nasarawa Eggon LGAs of Benue and Nasarawa States respectively. During the operations, one extremist was neutralized, 23 arrested while 3 locally fabricated rifles, 205 rounds of 7.62
x 39mm ammo, 2 AK47 rifles magazines and 9 mobile phones were recovered.
b. Arrests. On 20 February 2025, troops and DSS Tracking Team acted on credible information and intercepted an ammunition courier in Keffi LGA of Nasarawa State. 400 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo was recovered from the criminal.
c. Raid Operation.      On 17 February 2025, troops responded to information and raided an illegal mining site in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and arrested 51 persons. Furthermore, 2 trucks, 20 motorcycles, one compressor pump, 24 mobile phones and some quantities of mined precious stones comprising gold and lithium stones were recovered.

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil thieves. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Details as follows:

a. Troops Destroyed Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 673,922 litres of stolen crude oil, 201 and 616 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 57 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 49 boats, 4 speedboats, 53 storage tanks, 45 drums and 58 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 4 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones and 8 vehicles among others. Troops arrested 31 oil thieves, recovered 6 and 84 assorted arms and ammunition as well as 3 magazines.
b. Offensive Operations. On 18 and 20 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops made contact with criminals in Uvwie and Sapele LGAs of Delta State as well as Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State. During the
operations, 11 criminals were arrested while 4 locally made guns, 2 pump
actions guns, 59 live cartridges and illicit drugs were recovered.
c. Arrests.   23 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops responded to activities of pipeline vandals and other criminal elements in Ukanafun LGA of A/Ibom Stae and Bonny LGA of Rivers State as well as Sapele, Uvwie and Oshimil N LGAs of Delta State. During the operations, 15 were arrested while one localy fabricated pistol, 3 locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel gun  and the sum of N50,000.00 were recovered among others.

Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review:
a. Offensive Operations. On 23 and 24 February 2025, troops made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Enugu LGA of Enugu State as well as Ihiala and Njaba LGAs of Anambra and Imo States respectively. Following a fire fight, one extremists was arrested and a locally fabricated rifles was recovered.
b. Arrest.
(1) On 20 and 25 February 2025, troops arrested 3 extremists in Edda LGA of Ebonyi State and Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
(2) Sequel to arrest of a kidnapper on 14 February 2024, a cordon and search mission was initiated at the criminal hideouts on 18 February 2025 and troops recovered 2 dane guns, one English made double barrel gun, 3 fabricated pistol barrels, 134 cartridges, 25 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and other locally fabricated gun spares.
c. Counter/Anti/Kidnappin Criminal Activities. Between 19 – 24 February 2025, troops while on counter/anti/kidnapping and criminality operations responded to information about kidnapping incidents in Idu and Mbano LGAs of Enugu and Imo States respectively. On arrival, 3 were arrested and 4 mobile phones were recovered.

Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.

CLOSING REMARKS

The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles.

Monthly Report of Ongoing Military Operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the Month of February 2025.

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria sustained the tempo against terrorists and their cohorts in the ongoing counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations across the country. The ground, maritime and the air forces conducted coordinated offensive operations dislodging and striking terrorist from their hibernating areas as well as foiled oil theft in the South South region.

During the month of February 2025, troops recorded significant successes in the cause of their operations against proscribed terror groups across the country. They neutralized several terrorists, arrested many of them, rescued kidnapped hostages, received surrendered terrorists and their family members and recovered weapons as well as equipment. 

Troops of Operations HADIN KAI neutralized 75 terrorists, arrested 71 suspects and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recorded 152 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families.

The summary of recovered items includes: 49 AK47 rifles,15 fabricated rifles, 9 dane guns, 4 assorted arms, 1,896 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 227 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 23 assorted ammunitions.