Military Arrests 450 Suspected Terrorists, Foils ₦112m Oil Theft in Nationwide Operations

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Saturday announced that Nigerian troops arrested no fewer than 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists, and other criminal elements across the country in September.

According to a statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, the troops also rescued 180 civilians and received the surrender of 39 terrorists during various operations.

Kangye revealed that the operations led to the recovery of 63 firearms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, and 294 other items, including grenades, improvised explosive device (IED) components, handheld radios, motorcycles, and vehicles.

In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE thwarted several oil theft attempts valued at ₦112.2 million, recovering 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of diesel (AGO), 1,900 litres of kerosene (DPK), and 1,475 litres of petrol (PMS). The troops also destroyed 41 illegal refining sites during the operations.

“Throughout September, about 450 suspects were arrested, 39 terrorists surrendered, and 180 civilians were rescued. A total of 63 arms and 4,475 rounds of ammunition were recovered, alongside 294 crime-related items,” Kangye said.

He added that troops also seized a range of weapons, including automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated weapons, live cartridges, and assorted ammunition during different counter-insurgency missions.

Kangye disclosed that in the North-East, the Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI sustained aggressive offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS terrorists between September 23 and 30 in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.

Ground and air troops, supported by hybrid forces and local security groups, carried out coordinated operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Monguno, Damboa, Biu, and Kukawa (Borno); Madagali, Hong, and Mubi South (Adamawa); and Gujba (Yobe).

“These operations resulted in the elimination of several terrorists, the destruction of their camps and logistics networks, and the recovery of weapons,” Kangye noted, adding that the sustained military pressure has enabled the safe return of displaced persons and encouraged farming activities across the region.

The Defence Headquarters reaffirmed that the Armed Forces remain committed to restoring peace nationwide through ongoing operations, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central, and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.