By Milcah Tanimu
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that the Nigerian Army eliminated 358 terrorists, arrested 431 suspects, and rescued 249 kidnapped victims between January 1 and 31, 2025.
Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, released the figures in a statement on Friday in Abuja. He confirmed that troops have intensified counter-terrorism efforts nationwide.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
The military recovered 370 weapons and 4,972 rounds of ammunition. The cache includes:
- 105 AK-47 rifles
- 25 locally fabricated guns
- 32 Dane guns
- 23 pump-action guns
- 72 assorted firearms
- 3,066 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition
- 758 rounds of 7.62mm NATO rounds
- 980 cartridges
Regional Breakdown of Military Operations
North East (Operation Hadin Kai)
- 193 terrorists killed
- 89 suspects arrested
- 39 kidnapped victims rescued
- 95 Boko Haram/ISWAP members and their families surrendered
North Central (Operations Safe Haven & Whirl Stroke)
- 22 violent extremists neutralized
- 149 suspects arrested
- 73 kidnapped victims rescued
- Large cache of arms seized
North West (Operation Fasan Yamma)
- 102 terrorists neutralized
- 134 suspects apprehended
- 100 kidnapped victims rescued
South-South (Operation Delta Safe)
- 59 oil theft suspects arrested
- Seized:
- 2.7 million liters of stolen crude oil
- 42,515 liters of illegally refined AGO
- 200 liters of DPK
- 2,250 liters of PMS
- Estimated economic loss prevented: Over ₦2 billion
South East (Operation UDO KA)
- 41 terrorists neutralized
- 57 suspects arrested
- 37 kidnapped victims rescued
Military’s Commitment to National Security
According to DHQ, the armed forces remain committed to ensuring national security. “Troops are dedicated to eliminating threats and safeguarding citizens,” Buba stated.
With ongoing military offensives, authorities continue to intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks across Nigeria.
