The Nigerian military has announced major successes in its ongoing fight against insecurity, revealing that troops rescued 180 kidnapped civilians, arrested 450 suspected terrorists and bandits, and neutralized several others during various operations across the country in September 2025.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that 39 terrorists also surrendered to troops within the same period. He added that security forces recovered 63 assorted weapons, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, and 294 explosive materials, including grenades and components used in manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Kangye said troops also seized terrorist logistics and communication tools, such as hand-held radios, vehicles, motorcycles, and other materials used in carrying out criminal operations.
In the North-East, troops under Operation HADIN KAI sustained momentum against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists. The combined efforts of ground forces, air components, and local security groups led to the elimination of several insurgents, recovery of arms, and dismantling of terrorist networks across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. Twenty-one terrorist collaborators and informants were also arrested, while arms and logistics items were seized.
In the North-West, Operation HADARIN DAJI troops conducted successful offensives across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Katsina States, neutralizing terrorists, rescuing 13 kidnap victims, and arresting 46 suspects, including a wanted terrorist identified as Ali Saidu.
For the North-Central region, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN and Operation WHIRL STROKE responded to multiple distress calls in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory. Several terrorists were killed, 18 suspects arrested, and six kidnapped victims rescued.
In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over ₦20.8 million. Troops discovered and destroyed illegal refineries, cooking ovens, and storage facilities while arresting eight oil thieves and recovering weapons and ammunition.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, Operation UDO KA troops sustained offensive actions in Anambra and Imo States, killing one terrorist, arresting four others, and recovering arms, vehicles, and IED materials.
Major General Kangye reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining the offensive against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements nationwide, assuring Nigerians that troops remain dedicated to restoring peace and stability across all regions.
What you should know
In September 2025, the Nigerian Armed Forces intensified nationwide counterterrorism operations, rescuing 180 kidnap victims and arresting 450 suspects.
The operations, which cut across all six geopolitical zones, reflect a coordinated military effort under Major General Markus Kangye’s command to weaken terrorist networks and restore security in the country.
