Military Crushes 358 Terrorists, Captures 431, Rescues 249 Hostages In January Onslaught

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Nigerian military intensified its counter-terrorism campaign in January, eliminating 358 terrorists, capturing 431 suspects, and rescuing 249 kidnapped hostages in a series of coordinated operations across the country.

The Defence Headquarters, in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, revealed that the month-long offensive dealt a significant blow to terror networks, with sweeping military actions spanning the North East, North West, North Central, South East, and South-South regions.

Buba disclosed that troops recovered a staggering arsenal of 370 weapons and nearly 5,000 rounds of ammunition from insurgents.

The recovered arms included 105 AK-47 rifles, 25 locally fabricated guns, 32 Dane guns, 23 pump-action rifles, and a stockpile of military-grade ammunition—underscoring the scale of firepower available to terrorist factions.

In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched relentless ground and air offensives, neutralizing 193 insurgents and capturing 89 suspects.

The month also saw 95 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants, along with their families, surrendering to security forces.

Meanwhile, in the North West, Operation Fasan Yamma delivered a crushing blow to bandits and extremists, with 102 terrorists eliminated, 134 suspects arrested, and 100 kidnapped victims freed.

The region, notorious for its persistent security challenges, saw military forces intensify raids, dismantling terror hideouts and disrupting criminal supply chains.

In the North Central region, troops under Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke eradicated 22 violent extremists, arrested 149 suspects, and rescued 73 hostages, while also recovering a significant cache of arms.

The South-South witnessed a different but equally critical battlefront, where the military cracked down on oil theft syndicates under Operation Delta Safe.

Security forces arrested 59 individuals involved in large-scale oil theft, preventing losses estimated at over ₦2 billion. In the process, they seized 2.7 million litres of stolen crude oil, along with substantial quantities of illegally refined petroleum products.

In the South East, where secessionist-linked violence continues to destabilize communities, Operation UDO KA troops took out 41 insurgents, arrested 57 suspects, and rescued 37 kidnapped victims.

Buba emphasized that the armed forces remain resolute in their mission to dismantle criminal networks and restore stability nationwide. “Our troops are focused on ensuring the safety and security of citizens. The fight against terrorists and their cohorts will continue with full force,” he stated.