By Ameh Gabriel
The Nigerian Armed Forces have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting citizens from threats, as troops recorded major successes in the ongoing fight against terrorism, insurgency, and crude oil theft across the country.
This was disclosed in Abuja on Friday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kanye, during the weekly media briefing on military operations as of May 2, 2025.
General Kanye announced that in recent days, troops neutralized key terrorist leaders, dismantled insurgent camps, rescued kidnapped victims, and recovered a significant cache of weapons and stolen resources. He emphasized that these operations are part of a broader strategy to ensure safety and restore peace to troubled regions.
“As part of our mandate, we’ve launched a series of operations targeting insurgents, terrorists, and criminal elements who threaten the peace and security of our communities. I’m pleased to report that our efforts are yielding results,” he said.
Highlighting key developments, he noted that troops in various theaters across the country displayed gallantry and professionalism. The operations were executed in close collaboration with local and international partners, particularly in intelligence-sharing and operational coordination.
In the Niger Delta region, troops of Operation Delta Safe foiled crude oil theft estimated at over ₦168 million. They intercepted and destroyed illegal refining facilities and equipment, seizing:
- 86,490 litres of stolen crude oil,
- 72,821 litres of illegally refined diesel (AGO),
- 2,650 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),
- 72 crude oil cooking ovens,
- 41 dugout pits,
- 29 storage tanks,
- 47 drums,
- 22 illegal refining sites,
along with 13 boats, 2 speedboats, 7 vehicles, and other tools like pumping machines, tricycles, motorcycles, and mobile phones.
Additionally, 18 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related crimes were apprehended.
In the Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai recorded the surrender of scores of ISWAP and Boko Haram terrorists—including men, women, and children—between April 23 and 30, following intensified military pressure. This development is expected to weaken the insurgent groups’ operational capabilities significantly.
Elsewhere, in the South-South, troops maintained offensive momentum, arresting 8 criminals in Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states. A truck containing natural gas was also recovered. Acting on intelligence, troops also arrested six suspects involved in vandalism and kidnapping in Rivers, Bayelsa, and Imo states.
In the Southeast, troops of Operation UDO KA conducted raids between April 25 and 29 in Anambra and Enugu states. During these operations, four extremists were arrested, four kidnap victims were rescued, and weapons, including IED-making materials, were recovered.
Furthermore, in separate operations, troops arrested four suspected criminals in Imo, Abia, and Anambra states. All suspects were handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
Major General Kanye commended the role of local communities in intelligence gathering and reiterated that winning the war against insurgency requires not only firepower but also trust, cooperation, and unity among citizens.
He reaffirmed the military’s dedication to protecting the nation and supporting regional stability, adding, “The Armed Forces remain focused on safeguarding our people, working with our allies, and ensuring Nigeria remains secure and stable.”
