By Bavoriat Clara
The Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified the heat on terrorists, oil thieves, kidnappers, and other criminal elements nationwide, seizing over ₦37.5 million worth of stolen crude, freeing hostages, and securing farmlands for uninterrupted farming activities.
Between 7 and 14 August 2025, coordinated air strikes, ground offensives, and intelligence-led raids were carried out across all six geopolitical zones, delivering heavy losses to insurgent groups and their networks.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said troops, working with Hybrid Forces and other security agencies, eliminated scores of insurgents, arrested dozens of suspects, dismantled terrorist camps, and recovered large caches of arms, ammunition, explosives, vehicles, and motorcycles.
In the North East, Operation Hadin Kai’s offensives in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States wiped out insurgent cells, arrested 37 suspects, rescued five kidnapped victims, and neutralized several improvised explosive devices. Displaced residents have begun returning to their homes and farmlands under improved security.
In the North West, Operation Fansaŋ Yamma troops engaged terrorists in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna States, rescuing 17 hostages and arresting 11 suspects.
In the North Central, Operation Safe Haven neutralized armed gangs in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, while intercepting a gunrunner who hid an AK-47 in a sack of animal feed.
Operation Whirl Stroke forces in Benue, Taraba, Kogi, and the FCT arrested two notorious gunrunners, rescued nine kidnapped victims, and seized a hidden ammunition stockpile in Taraba.
In the South-South, Operation Delta Safe destroyed illegal refining sites, seized thousands of litres of stolen crude and refined products, and arrested 34 suspects.
In the South East, Operation Udo Ka dismantled IPOB/ESN hideouts, killing several militants and arresting seven others, including a kidnapper.
Addressing the media in Abuja, Major General Kangye also dispelled rumours surrounding the reported surrender of notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji. He stressed that Turji, alleged to have masterminded multiple deadly attacks in Zamfara and Sokoto States, had not surrendered and remained at large.
“Bello Turji has not surrendered; we are hot on his trail,” Kangye stated, describing media reports that he had laid down arms and released 32 kidnapped victims under a peace deal as unverified and lacking credibility.
The Defence Headquarters also dismissed recent allegations by Amnesty International accusing troops of extrajudicial killings in the South-East.
Kangye described the claims as unfounded and misleading, questioning the basis of the organisation’s accusations.
“What do you mean by extrajudicial killing? Is it that soldiers carry their weapons, go to the street and start shooting people? You know what Amnesty International publishes,” he said, insisting that the Nigerian military operates within the bounds of the law and is not involved in such acts.
He urged the public to rely on verified information from credible sources and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability across the country.
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