The Defence Headquarters says troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements across the country in September 2025.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that 39 terrorists surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued during various military operations.
According to Kangye, the troops also recovered 63 assorted arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition, and 294 other items including grenades, improvised explosive device (IED) components, handheld radios, motorcycles, and vehicles.
He said, “For the month of September, about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals were arrested. Thirty-nine of them surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued. Troops also recovered 63 arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition and 294 items such as grenades, IED materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles, and other logistics used in crimes.”
Kangye added that troops under Operation DELTA SAFE prevented oil theft worth ₦112.17 million, destroying 41 illegal refining sites and recovering over 49,000 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of automotive gas oil, and 1,475 litres of petrol.
“Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth ₦112,175,220. This included 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK and 1,475 litres of PMS,” he explained.
The Defence Headquarters also said large quantities of automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated weapons, and assorted ammunition were seized from criminal elements.
Kangye noted that the Joint Task Force in the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, sustained coordinated land and air offensives against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JAS fighters in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States.
“Our ground forces, in conjunction with the air component, hybrid forces, and local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre,” he stated. “Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, dismantling of their networks, and recovery of weapons. The operations also supported the safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.”
The military continues to carry out counterinsurgency and anti-crime missions nationwide under different theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central, and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.
According to Kangye, the Defence Headquarters provides monthly operational updates to reassure Nigerians of ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability across the country.
