By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have killed several suspects in the ongoing war against insurgency.
In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Two Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (N291,326,400.00) only.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye disclosed this during a Defence Correspondents briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
The briefing at the Defence Headquarters covered the period of 10-17 July 2025.
The DDMO said troops also apprehended perpetrators of oil theft and rescued some kidnapped hostages.
He said “In Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over Two Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Six Thousand, Four Hundred Naira (N291,326,400.00) only. The breakdown indicates: 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,759 litres of DPK.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 18 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums and 19 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 13 vehicles.
“Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
“Between 10 – 16 July 2025, troops Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) sustained efforts to deny Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists freedom of action in the North East region. During the period, our ground forces in synergy with the Air Component and Hybrid forces local security stakeholders, have conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
“Their effort led to the arrest of terrorists’ logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons. The troops conducted kinetic operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the general areas of Tangalaga, Bula Marwa, Mandara Girau, Agapalwa, New Marte, Kala Balge, Lassa, Kumalia and Karma as well as other areas in Bama, Kukawa, Biu, Gwoza and Abadam LGAs of Borno States, eliminating scores of terrorists.
“Also, large number of terrorists comprising adult males and females including children surrendered to troops as operational tempo heightened across the theatre. Troops also conducted operations in Konduga, Marte, Ngala, Kala-Balge, Damboa, Chibok and Askira Uba LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba, Geidam and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State.
“During the encounters, some terrorists were killed in action, 11 of their collaborators were arrested, while 7 kidnapped victims were rescued. Some quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered. They also retrieved and safely detonated some IEDs, while the sum of N17,150.00 was also recovered.
“Similarly, 2 members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed were arrested in Liya, Biu LGA of Borno State while receiving waybill from a truck driver which corresponded with intelligence received earlier on the said consignment. The items include 13 pairs of military uniforms and some high voltage batteries amongst others. Relatedly, another terrorists’ logistics supplier known as Shaibu Bulama, 65 years old was arrested at Damasak Motor Park in Yobe State on 13 July 2025.
“As a result of sustained military operations in the Nort East theatre, 16 family members of terrorists, including 4 adult females and 12 children, surrendered to troops in Bama LGA on 14 July 2025. Preliminary investigations indicate that the group surrendered from Bakura Jega village.
“Between 11 – 14 July 2025, troops responded to information about terrorist activities in Gudu and Illela LGAs of Sokoto State as well as Zurmi and Rafi LGAs of Zamfara and Niger States respectively. During these operations, some terrorists were killed, 6 of them were arrested, while 3 kidnapped victims were rescued. Relatedly, troops while on routine patrol made contact with terrorists in Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, Tsafe and Shinkafi LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Danko-Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
“They also conducted operations in Mariga and Malumfashi LGAs of Niger and Katsina State respectively. During these operations, our gallant troops eliminated some terrorists, arrested 9 of them and rescued 4 kidnapped victims. Items recovered during the operations include arms and ammunition as well as motorcycles, while other equipment were burnt in-situ.
“On 10 July 2025, troops arrested 3 suspected gunrunners in Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State in possession of 9 AK-47 rifles, over 450 rounds of assorted ammunitions and the sum of N365,600.00. On the same day, a notorious extremist/kidnapper identified as Gambo Sani was arrested in Toro LGA of Bauchi State.
“Within the period 9 – 16 July 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Bassa, Barkin Ladi, South Wase, Riyom and Jos East LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested 12 and rescued 3 kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
“Similarly, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN while on routine patrol arrested 7 militias/criminals in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs of Plateau State as well as Wamba and Sanga LGAs of Nasarawa and Kaduna States respectively. Items recovered from them were weapons, ammunitions and motorcycles as well as illicit drugs.
“On 9 July 2025, our gallant troops intercepted a vehicle with bullet holes along Jos, Sanga Road. Suspects attempted to induce troops with monetary gratification, while they declined. Troops arrested 2 suspects, recovered weapons ammunitions, a vehicle and the sum of N13,742,000.00 from them. Investigation ongoing while recovered items in troops’ custody.
“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded high level of successes in their areas of responsibility during the week. They eliminated some extremists in Wukari, Karim Lamido, and Donga LGAs of Taraba State, as well as Ukum and Guma LGAs of Benue State. They also conducted operations in Awe, Keffi, Akwanga and Obi LGAs of Nasarawa State, as well as Yagba West, Dekina and Okene LGAs of Kogi State. During the operations, troops eliminated some terrorists, arrested 13 of them and rescued 5 kidnapped victims. They also recovered arms and ammunition, motorcycles, vehicles and large quantities substances suspected to be cannabis and illicit drugs.
“Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 201,345 litres of stolen crude oil, 29,730 litres of illegally refined AGO and 1,759 litres of DPK. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 18 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 16 boats, 21 storage tanks, 17 drums and 19 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 13 vehicles. Furthermore, 42 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
“Troops while conducting offensive operations, arrested a notorious cult leader identified as Prince Johnson Ishirim, otherwise known as Commander Junior and 13 other suspected criminals/Kidnappers in Ahoada East LGA of Rivers State, as well as Oshimiri, Warri South and Ukwani LGAs of Delta State. Weapons and ammunition, as well as vehicles and motorcycles were recovered from them.
Troops, also raided a criminals’ hideout in Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State and arrested 28 oil thieves and some drug dealers on 10 July 2025.
“Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. They eliminated 2 suspected IPOB/ESN members, arrested 14 of them and rescued 6 kidnapped victims in Aguata and Ihiala LGAs of Anambra State as well as Isiala-Ngwa South, Arochukwu and Okigwe LGAs of Abia and Imo States. Similarly, 2 kidnapped victims were rescued during an intelligence led operation conducted in Udi LGA of Enugu State on 14 July 2025.
“In a related development on 10 July 2025, our troops arrested an IPOB/ESN terrorists’ collaborator who was commissioned by the terrorists to collect taxes from the locals on their behalf in Ihiala LGA Anambra State. The troops recovered the sum of N1,500,000.00 from the suspect.
“It is heartwarming to report that farmers in the North East, particularly northern Borno, North West, North Central and other areas affected by conflicts have started farming activities as our troops have significantly degraded terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, who hitherto obstructed farming activities in the areas. Our troops have been conducting aggressive foot and aerial patrols across farming communities in all theatres in order to guarantee security for the farmers.”
