According to a statement from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of Nigeria, troops successfully arrested approximately 450 suspects, rescued 180 civilians, and killed “scores” of terrorists in September 2025. This was announced by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in a statement released on October 4, 2025.
Here’s a breakdown of the key figures and operations:
- Arrests and Rescues: The military arrested around 450 individuals, including terrorists, bandits, extremists, and other criminals. In addition, 180 kidnapped victims were rescued, and 39 terrorists surrendered to the troops.
- Weapons and Ammunition: The operations led to the recovery of 63 arms and 4,475 rounds of ammunition. Troops also seized 294 other items used by criminals, such as grenades, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, and vehicles.
- Anti-Oil Theft Operations: Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE, which operates in the Niger Delta region, foiled oil theft valued at over ₦112 million. The recovered stolen products included 49,321 liters of crude oil, 6,970 liters of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 1,900 liters of Dual-Purpose Kerosene (DPK), and 1,475 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). Troops also destroyed 41 illegal refining sites.
- Regional Operations: The report highlighted operations in various regions, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central, and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta. These operations involved joint task forces, air components, and local security groups to eliminate terrorists, dismantle their logistics networks, and support the resettlement of displaced persons.
Major General Kangye emphasized that the Armed Forces remain committed to their mission of restoring peace and security across the country, working in synergy with other security agencies.
