The military arrested over 70 terrorists and rescued more than 90 kidnapped victims in operations in the various Theatre of Operations in the North East, North West and North Central in the last week.
In Borno State, 11 terrorists’ collaborators or informants were apprehended, while ammunition, logistics items, illicit drugs such as PMS, vehicles, motorcycles, and N70,050 were recovered from suspects.
Also, some IEDs were safely detonated in Abadam, Gwoza and Mobbar LGAs of the State.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, said troops of the Joint Task Force in North East – Operation Hadin Kai, made the arrests and recoveries.
“Following the intensity of our gallant troops’ firefights, a terrorist fighter belonging to the Abu Ayuba syndicate surrendered to troops in Kwayari village in Kaga LGA of Borno State on 20 August 2025. The terrorist surrendered weapon and ammunition and was willing to cooperate in non-kinetic negotiation for other members of the syndicate to surrender,” he said.
Kangye said that during this period, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma in the North West intensified their efforts, killing some terrorists and arresting 28 other criminals, while 76 kidnapped victims were rescued during an aircraft bombardment of terrorist locations at Pauwa Hill in Kankara LGA of Katsina State.
“Meanwhile, between 21 and 25 August 2025, four suspected terrorists were arrested in Kontagora and Matazu LGAs of Niger and Katsina States, respectively. Arms, ammunition, a motorcycle and the sum of N321,000.00 were recovered from them,” he said.
In the North Central, Kangye stated that troops of Operation Safe Haven killed some terrorists, arrested 19 criminals, and rescued seven kidnapped victims. They also recovered weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and vehicles.
He mentioned that these successes were recorded during operations in Bokkos, Bassa, Wase, Jos East, Mangu, and Barkin Ladi LGAs of Plateau State, as well as Jamaá, Kaura, and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State.
“Relatedly, a notorious armed robber identified as Abdullahi Abubakar and nine others were arrested between 22 – 26 August 2025 in Bassa, Mangu, Pankshin, Jos South, Bokkos and Jos East LGA of Plateau State, as well as Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
“Additionally, troops arrested five gunrunners and two wanted criminals identified as Abu Habu and Suleiman Haruna in Bassa and Bokkos LGAs of Plateau State on 23 and 24 August 2025. Weapons, ammunition, vehicle, motorcycle, boefeng radio and the sum of N89,400 were recovered from them.”
He added that troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, also in the North Central, eliminated some extremists/kidnappers, arrested 13 of them, rescued 29 kidnapped victims, and recovered arms, ammunition, mobile phones, motorcycles and vehicles from them.
