Troops arrest 450 suspects, rescue 180 civilians in one month – DHQ

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Defence Headquarters(DHQ),  said troops fighting the counter insurgency war and other security operations across the country arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals in the month of September.

The DHQ, also said that 39 terrorists surrendered to troops at various theater of  operations while 180 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, who made this known, said troops recovered 63 arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, 294 items including grenades, improvised explosive device materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles among other items.

Gen. Kangye in a statement, ststed that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 41 illegal refiners and foiled oil theft valued at N112,175,220, comprising of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of automotive gas oil, 1,900 litres of dual-purpose kerosene and 1,475 litres of premium motor spirit.

Giving an update on the operations, Gen. Kangye, said troops “The Joint Task Force North East OPERATION HADIN KAI (OPHK) during the week ending 23 – 30September 2025, sustained operational momentum bydenying Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terroristsfreedom of action in the North East region. Ourground 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. Troops conducted both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against terrorists in 23 – 30September 2025 in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State. They also conducted operations in Madagali, Hong and Mubi South LGAs of Adamawa State as well as Gujba LGA of Yobe State. During the encounters, troops eliminated scores of terrorists and recovered arms and ammunition, while their camps were destroyed accordingly.

“Relatedly, from 23 – 30 September 2025, troops conducted operations in Mafa, Magumeri, Konduga, Damboa, Chibok, Kaga, Abadam and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State as well as Mubi North and Hong LGAs of Adamawa State. They also conducted operations in Geidam and Nguru LGAs of Yobe State.  During the
encounters, 21 terrorists’ collaborators, informantsand terrorists sympathizers were arrested.  Arms, ammunition, Logistics items, vehicles, motorcyclesand IED marking materials were also recovered.Recovered Items are in troops custody, while interrogation is ongoing.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH WESTOPERATION FANSAN YAMMA

Troops of OPFY sustained operational tempothroughout the week with significant activities. During fire fights, some terrorists were eliminated and kidnapped victims rescued. For instance, from 23 – 30September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Anka, Bakura, Tsafe, Maradun, Shinkafiand Maru LGAs of Zamfara State. They also carried out operations in Isa, Sabon Birni, Goroyo and WurnoLGAs of Sokoto State, additionally, troops conducted same operations were conducted in Shanono, Gwarzoand Tudun Wada LGAs of Kano State as well as Arewa, Mariga and Kontagora LGAs of Kebbi State and Kaduna Metropolis. While JTF Sectovere in Katsina State covered; Kankara, Faskari, Safana and Malumfashi LGAs of the state were a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu was arrested. During these operations, several terrorists were killed,
while 46 of them were arrested, while 13 kidnapped victims were rescued. Arrested terrorists are currently undergoing interrogation.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION ENDURING PEACE

During the period under review, troops of OPENDURING PEACE responded to distress calls about terrorists’ activities in some sectors. For instance, from 23 – 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State as well as Sanga and Jamaá LGAs of Kaduna Stae.During the firefights, some extremists were killed in action, arrested 12 of them and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.

JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH CENTRAL OPERATION WHIRL STROKE  

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded some successes in their Area of Responsibility during the week. They conducted operations between 23 – 30 September 2025 in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Gwer West LGAs of Benue State as well as Takum and Nasarawa LGAs of Taraba and Nasarawa States. They also conducted operations in Kabba Bunu and Omala LGAs of Kogi State as well as Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils of the FCT. During the operations, troops killed some criminals in action, arrested 6 suspected others, while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH-SOUTH OPERATION DELTA SAFE  

In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Twenty Million Eight Hundred Fifty Five Thousand Six Hundred and Sixty Naira (N20,855,660.00) only. The breakdown indicates; 13,175 litres of stolen crude oil and 7,230litres of AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 21 crude oil cooking ovens, 9 dugout pits, 7boats, 11 storage tanks and 6 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 8 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.

Relatedly, troops on offensive operation, arrested 36 suspected and rescued 2 kidnapped victims in Bomadi, Ethiope West, and Warri South LGAs of Delta State as well as Yenagoa and Port Harcourt LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers State respectively. Weapons, ammunition and natural resources were recovered from them.

JOINT TASK FORCE SOUTH EASTOPERATION UDO KA

Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. Between 25 – 30 September 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Ihiala and Orumba South LGAs of Anambra State as well as Okigwe LGA of Imo State. During these operations a terrorist was killed in action, while 4 of them were arrested. Weapons, ammunitions, vehicles and improvisedexplosive devices were recovered.