The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced that troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria neutralised 15 suspected terrorists, arrested 28 individuals and rescued 25 kidnapped victims during coordinated military operations conducted across various parts of the country over the past week.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the figures on Friday during a media briefing in Abuja, stating that the operations formed part of the military’s sustained efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime threatening national security.
According to the DHQ, troops deployed across multiple theatres of operation carried out intelligence-driven missions targeting criminal hideouts, terrorist enclaves and suspected logistics networks. The coordinated operations involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, working in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies.
Major General Onoja said the operations were designed to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups and armed criminal networks while enhancing the safety of communities affected by insecurity. He noted that the military remains committed to protecting lives and property through proactive engagements and sustained pressure on criminal elements operating in different regions of the country.
The Defence Headquarters stated that, in addition to neutralising 15 terrorists, troops apprehended 28 suspects linked to various security-related offences. Preliminary investigations are expected to determine the level of involvement of those arrested and facilitate further intelligence gathering to support ongoing operations.
The rescue of 25 kidnapped victims, according to the military, highlights the continued emphasis being placed on securing the release of abducted persons and dismantling kidnapping syndicates that have become increasingly active in several parts of the country. The identities of the rescued victims were not disclosed, while details of the circumstances surrounding their rescue were withheld for operational reasons.
Although the military did not provide a detailed breakdown of the locations where the operations occurred, the DHQ indicated that activities were conducted across various theatres, including areas affected by insurgency, banditry and communal violence. Security operations remain particularly intense in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to exploit difficult terrain and remote communities to carry out attacks and kidnappings.
Nigeria has faced persistent security challenges in recent years, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as kidnapping-for-ransom incidents affecting several states across the country. These threats have continued to place significant pressure on security agencies and local communities despite ongoing military offensives.
In response, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have intensified joint operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks, destroying logistics bases and cutting off supply routes used by terrorist and bandit groups.
Military authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration and community engagement in addressing the country’s evolving security challenges.
The DHQ reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining ongoing operations and maintaining momentum in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality. Major General Onoja assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would continue to adapt operational strategies in response to emerging threats and changing security dynamics.
He also called on members of the public to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could aid ongoing operations. According to the military, cooperation between citizens and security agencies remains critical to identifying criminal elements and preventing attacks.
The Defence Headquarters reiterated that safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring the security of citizens remain top priorities for the Armed Forces. It added that troops would continue to conduct operations across the country to restore peace, strengthen public confidence and create a safer environment for communities affected by insecurity. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
