Military Ramps Up Offensive, Rescues Victims, Destroys Terror Networks Nationwide

By Jamila Muhammad, Gombe 

The Defence Headquarters said on Friday that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have recorded fresh gains in ongoing military operations across the country, including the arrest of terror suspects, the rescue of kidnapped victims, and the recovery of weapons and illicit materials.

The military said the operations, which were conducted between March 20 and March 26, targeted terrorists, insurgents, kidnappers, oil thieves, and other criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of the latest nationwide offensives.

He said the operations were carried out under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, through intelligence-based missions and coordinated ground actions involving troops in various theatres.

According to him, troops of Operation Hadin Kai sustained pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East, leading to the arrest of suspected informants, logistics suppliers and arms couriers in Borno, Adamawa, and Taraba states.

He said troops also recovered rifles, magazines, and other operational items during raids and security operations at locations such as Maiduguri, Damboa, Kaga, and Mubi.

In the North-West, Onoja said troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, with support from air components, carried out attacks on terrorist enclaves in Sokoto and Zamfara states, killing several fighters and disrupting their support networks.

He added that troops also rescued an abducted local government official in Kano State and recovered arms, ammunition and communication devices during ambush and clearance operations.

In the North Central, the defence headquarters said troops operating under operations Savannah Shield, Enduring Peace and Whirl Stroke recorded breakthroughs in anti-kidnapping and anti-terror operations.

Onoja said troops responded to an attack on a worship centre in Kwara State and succeeded in rescuing some of the abducted victims, while efforts were ongoing to free others still in captivity.

He also said troops arrested suspects found with explosive materials and components for improvised explosive devices in Niger State, while more suspects linked to criminal activities were apprehended in Plateau, Benue State, and Kogi State.

He added that several kidnapped victims were rescued during patrols and clearance missions, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from fleeing criminals.

The military spokesman further disclosed that troops discovered and safely detonated improvised explosive devices planted by criminal elements, while several hideouts in forests and border communities were destroyed.

In the South-South, Onoja said troops of Operation Delta Safe intensified the war against crude oil theft and illegal refining, leading to the destruction of illegal refining camps and the recovery of large quantities of stolen crude oil and refined petroleum products in Rivers and Cross River states.

He reported the arrest of suspects involved in oil theft and kidnapping, as well as the interception of vehicles and equipment used for illegal activities.

In the South-East, he said troops of Operation Udo Ka recorded successes against armed groups linked to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

According to him, troops detonated improvised explosive devices and dismantled a major illegal refining site in Imo State, where stolen petroleum products were also recovered and destroyed.

Onoja said the latest operational outcomes reflected the impact of sustained military pressure and growing collaboration among security agencies.

He said the military remained committed to degrading criminal networks and restoring peace in troubled communities across the country.

The defence spokesman also conveyed the appreciation of the Chief of Defence Staff for the troops’ dedication and professionalism while urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to provide useful information to security agencies.

Troops Disrupt Terror Supply Route, Capture 18 Suspects in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 suspected logistics suppliers linked to Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, in what security sources describe as a significant disruption of the group’s support network.

The suspects were intercepted along the strategic Maiduguri–Magumeri road while allegedly travelling towards Gubio, with plans to continue to the Gudumbali–Kujawa axis, areas long identified as strongholds of insurgent activity in northern Borno.

A credible military source disclosed in Maiduguri that the operation was carried out following intelligence reports on movements suspected of being tied to terrorist logistics channels. According to the source, the arrested individuals were on a mission to deliver supplies to fighters operating in remote communities.

“The suspects were stopped along the route while heading towards Gubio to hand over materials intended for terrorists,” the source said, adding that the axis remains a known enclave for insurgent operations.

Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspects admitted to regularly procuring and transporting goods for the insurgents. The confession, according to the military, exposed a pattern of civilian involvement in sustaining terrorist activities across parts of Guzamala and Kukawa Local Government Areas.

“They acknowledged participating in the purchase and delivery of essential items to the terrorists who are still active in those areas,” the source noted.

The suspects were also said to have cited unemployment and economic hardship as reasons for their involvement, a development the military believes underscores the deeper socio-economic drivers of insurgency in the region.

Security officials say the arrests reinforce earlier remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic challenges and the persistence of terrorist logistics networks in the Northeast.

“Our findings highlight the dangerous role of civilian collaborators in enabling terrorist operations, especially in isolated communities around Gubio and Gudumbali near the Niger border,” the military source added.

The Nigerian Army has reiterated the need for a balanced strategy in tackling insurgency, urging authorities to complement ongoing military operations with non-kinetic measures such as economic empowerment and job creation.

According to the military, addressing unemployment and poverty remains critical to dismantling the support systems that have sustained the insurgency for nearly two decades across the Northeast.

CDS Charges Borno, Yobe Residents to Lead Fight Against Terrorism

By Aliyu Hassan

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called on residents of Borno and Yobe states to take a more active role in tackling insurgency, stressing that community participation is essential to ending terrorism in the North-East.

Speaking on Thursday after a comprehensive review of ongoing military operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP, Oluyede said the Armed Forces had identified strong community cooperation as a key factor in achieving lasting success.

According to him, military gains can only be sustained when local populations support security efforts, noting that insurgent activities often rely on assistance from within affected communities.

He expressed concern over intelligence indicating that some individuals, whether knowingly or unknowingly, provide support or shelter to terrorist elements. Such actions, he warned, weaken ongoing operations and prolong the hardship faced by innocent civilians.

The defence chief explained that many perpetrators of violence are not outsiders but people familiar with the community, including neighbours and acquaintances. He urged residents to overcome fear and personal ties by exposing those involved in criminal activities.

Oluyede emphasised that defeating terrorism requires collective effort, not just military action. He called on citizens to reject all forms of extremism and provide timely, credible information to security agencies.

In reference to the recent attack in Kukawa, he disclosed that follow-up operations discovered injured suspects within the community, implying potential internal cooperation.

He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to adapting its strategies to counter evolving threats, including the increasing use of drones and other advanced tools by insurgents.

The CDS also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations, and civil society groups to intensify their efforts to mobilise communities against violent extremism.

He stressed that building strong and resilient communities capable of resisting radical influence remains vital to restoring lasting peace in the region.

Oluyede urged residents to stay alert, report suspicious activities and work closely with security agencies, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces remain dedicated to protecting lives and stabilising the North-East.