Troops Neutralizes 69 Boko Haram/ISWAP/JAS Terrorists, Arrest 26, Rescue 43 Kidnap Hostages Across Theatres in One Week - DHQ

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

The Defence Headquarters has said that it's Joint Task force of operation HADIN Kai have sustained it's tempo against terrorist and their cohorts across the North East theatre of operation with surrendering of BH/ISWAP/JAS terrorists fighters to troops, arrests of terrorists collaborators and conducted different offensive operations in Gwoza, Konduga, Kukawa, Bama, Damboa and Monguno LGAs of Borno as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe States

This was contained in a statement signed on Friday by the Director, Defence Media Operations DMO, Maj-Gen Edward Buba in Abuja.

According to the statement, between 22 and 29 January 2025, a total of 31 ISWAP/JAS Terrorists terrorists comprising 2 adult males, 9 adult females and 20 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operations. 

The statement also stated that between 21 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 13 BH/ISWAP terrorists and collaborators/informants in Bama, Kukawa and Konduga LGAs of Borno State. 

It added that on 22 and 24 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with BH/ISWAP in Geidam LGA of Yobe State as well as Damboa, Gwoza and Monguno LGAs of Borno State respectively. Following a fire fight, troops neutralized 55 terrorists and arrested 2 as well as recovered 14 AK47 rifles, 3 fabricated rifles, 7 dane guns, 112 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 141 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, 4 magazines, 2 mortar bombs, one mortar base plate, links of shilka rounds, one bandolier, one mobile phone amongst others.

The Director, DMO also stated that, In the North West, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA recorded the following during the period under review; responded to terrorists activities, arrested terrorists and collaborators as well as conducted offensive operation in Kauru Namoda, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and Jibia LGAs of Sokoto and Katsina States. Troops conducted similar operations in Birnin Gwari, Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State.

He stated that between 21 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations made contact with terrorists in Shinkafi and Kaura Namoda LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabon Birnin and  Birnin Gwari LGAs of Sokoto and Kaduna States. Following fire fights, troops neutralized 13 terrorists and rescued 3 kidnapped hostages.

"Troops also recovered 12 AK47 rifles, 2 PKT guns, 383 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 19 PKT rounds, 13 magazines, 11 motorcycles and 2 mobile phones amongst others". He added 

He also said between 22 and 27 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of terrorists/kidnappers in Jibia, Tsafe and Anka LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Chikun and Kachia LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. During the operations, troops neutralized one terrorists, arrested 4 and rescued 23 kidnapped hostages.

"Troops also recovered one AK47 rifle, one FN rifle, 2 pump action guns, 88 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, one magazine, one vehicle, 2 motorcycles and one mobile phone amongst others". He said.

Gen. Buba in his statement also said, troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Kabba-Bunu, Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State as well as AMAC FCT Abuja.

According to him, on 26 January 2025, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/terrorists in Kabba Bunu LGA of Kogi State and AMAC FCT Abuja respectively. 

He said during the operations, base on credible information, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 2 violent extremist and gunrunner in Bassa and Obajana LGAs of Kogi State.

He disclosed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded the following during the period under review;  arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs Plateau State as well as Zango Kataf and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State respectively. Troops also conducted similar operations in Toro LGA of Bauchi State.

According to him, on 23 and 25 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops in separate operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/kidnappers in Barkin Ladi and Zango Kataf LGAs of Plateau and Kaduna States respectively. During the operations, troops arrested 4 extremists and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages as well as recovered the sum of N250,000.00 only.

"On 26 January 2025, troops while on patrol responded to a distress call on kidnappers’ activities in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State. During the operations, rescued 12 kidnapped hostages and recovered one round and 8 empty cases of 7.62mm special ammo.  

"On 25 and 26 January 2025, following credible reports, troops in separate operations intercepted and arrested 12 violent extremists/terrorists in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State as well as Toro LGA of Bauchi State respectively. Troops also recovered one G3 Rifle loaded with 51 rounds of 7.62 x 51mm NATO ammo, one fabricated pistol, 2 cartridges, one vehicle and 16 mobile phones amongst others.

"Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review; troops arrested violent extremists/kidnappers and conducted offensive operations in Wukari and Bali LGAs of Taraba State.

" On 22 January 2025, troops while conducting offensive operations responded to distress call on kidnapping incident in Wukari LGA of Taraba State. During the operations, troops rescued one kidnapped hostage and reunite with her family.

"On 16 January 2025, base on tip-off, troops while on offensive operation raided and apprehended one violent extremist/kidnapper identified as Suleiman Musa in Bali LGA of Taraba State.

"Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil theft. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. 

"Troops also arrested violent extremists and collaborators as well as conducted several offensive operations in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State as well as Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively.

"Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 552,350 litres of stolen crude oil and 19,900 litres of illegally refined AGO. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 203 crude oil cooking ovens, 16 dugout pits, 4 boats, 22 storage tanks, 13 drums and 16 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 2 pumping machines, 2 outboard engines, 2 tricycles, one motorcycle, 7 bicycles, 2 mobile phones and 4 vehicles among others.

"On 23 January 2025, following a tip off, troops while on operations intercepted and apprehended 2 suspected violent extremists/ex-militants in Ovia South-West LGA of Edo State.  Troops recovered one Baofeng radio, one breech block of single pump action and one live ammo cartridge. 

" On 23 and 26 January 2025, troops in separate offensive operations responded to information on activities of violent extremists/militants in Ekeremor and Khana LGAs of Bayelsa and Rivers States respectively. During the operations, troops apprehended 2 extremists and recovered 3 AK47 rifles, 4 magazines, 17 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 177 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammo, one baofeng radio and 2 mobile phones amongst others.

"Troops apprehended 23 suspected oil thefts and other violent extremists. Troops also recovered 2 baofeng radios, 6 magazines, 3 assorted arms and 194 assorted ammunitions.

"Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review; arrested violent extremists and collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.

" On 23 January 2025, following credible reports, troops while conducting offensive operations intercepted and arrested 2 IPOB/ESN terrorists collaborators in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State". He explained 

Major General Edward Buba however said all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages have been handed over to the relevant authority for further action.