Abuja | Hobnob News
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has revealed that 6,260 terrorists were neutralised, 5,365 hostages rescued, and over 14,000 criminals apprehended during coordinated military operations across the country within the past two years.
This was disclosed by Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, Deputy Director of Defence Media Operations, during a strategic engagement with media executives in Abuja on Thursday. The briefing formed part of activities marking the second anniversary of the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs.
According to Abu-Mawashi, the Nigerian Armed Forces achieved these milestones through sustained, multi-theatre campaigns against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft, and other threats to national security.
Zonal Breakdown of Military Gains
North East: 1,920 civilians rescued, 982 arms and 2,153 rounds of ammunition recovered.
North West (Operation Hadarin Daji): 1,374 bandits killed, 2,160 arrested, 3,288 hostages rescued; 947 weapons and over 25,800 rounds recovered.
North Central: 730 terrorists killed, 7,153 arrested; 1,510 civilians rescued, and 19,709 rounds recovered.
South East (Operation Udo Ka): 440 terrorists killed, 1,677 arrested, 294 civilians rescued, 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds recovered.
South West: 80 criminals neutralised, 1,763 suspects arrested, 89 hostages rescued, and over 177,000 rounds of ammunition seized.
Abu-Mawashi emphasized that these efforts were part of an ongoing nationwide security architecture driven by joint task forces and inter-agency collaboration.
Air Force Surges with New Aircraft and High-Impact Strikes
Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, highlighted major advancements in aerial operations and platform acquisitions, noting the delivery of 15 new aircraft, including:
6 T-129 ATAK helicopters,
2 Agusta Westland AW109s,
3 Kish aircraft, and
4 Diamond surveillance planes.
He also confirmed that 49 more platforms will arrive by 2026, including combat jets and transport aircraft.
“These assets have significantly improved our operational readiness. Over the last two years, we’ve flown over 9,000 hours, conducted over 5,000 sorties, and supported more than 4,000 coordinated missions,” Abubakar said.
He added that Air Force operations have led to the neutralisation of 3,496 terrorists, destruction of 775 structures, and 218 combat vehicles, along with targeted airstrikes on terror logistics hubs.
Navy Disrupts Oil Theft, Piracy in Coastal Waters
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, stated that the Navy had dismantled 808 illegal oil refining sites and arrested 76 vessels, resulting in the denial of over 27.3 million litres of crude oil to oil thieves under Operation Delta Sanity.
In addition, the Navy seized:
4,610 bags of smuggled foreign rice,
1,467 bags of cannabis and illicit drugs,
Petroleum products and loading boats worth over ₦5 billion.
“Our strategic response includes anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, regional maritime surveillance, and asset recapitalisation efforts,” Ogalla said.
A People-Centric Approach to National Security
Delivering his keynote at the Defence Headquarters Civil-Military Relations Conference 2025, Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, underscored the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation.
“Nigeria’s security challenges demand a whole-of-society response involving the military, government institutions, and the people as equal partners,” Musa stated.
He highlighted threats from terrorism, banditry, secessionist agitation, and organised crime, noting the Armed Forces’ shift toward both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
The Defence Chief called on the media to remain partners in national security, particularly in countering misinformation and enhancing public confidence.
“The media remains a key player in shaping perception in the information theatre. Accurate reportage supports morale and reinforces trust between the military and the citizenry,” he added.
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