Nigerian military troops have intensified their nationwide offensive against criminal elements, rejecting a bribe of over N13 million from suspected terrorists, neutralising bandits in gun battles, and arresting several individuals, including arms couriers and terror collaborators.
This was disclosed on Thursday, July 18, 2025, by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, during a press briefing in Abuja detailing military operations conducted between July 9 and 16, 2025.
According to Kangye, troops of Operation Safe Haven, acting on a distress call, intercepted a suspicious vehicle with bullet holes along the Jos–Sanga Road in Plateau State. During the encounter, two individuals in the vehicle allegedly attempted to bribe the troops with N13,742,000 in cash.
“The suspects tried to induce our troops with cash, but the soldiers remained professional and rejected the offer,” Kangye stated. “They were arrested on the spot, and weapons, ammunition, and the cash were recovered. Investigations are ongoing.”
Kangye also reported that troops neutralised two bandits during an ambush in Nteng, Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, following credible intelligence of an imminent attack.
“Our troops laid an ambush and made contact with the criminals,” he said. “Two were killed in the gunfight, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds.”
He added that troops arrested seven suspected militias during patrols in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs in Plateau, and in Wamba and Sanga LGAs in Nasarawa and Kaduna States. Recovered items included firearms, ammunition, motorcycles, and hard drugs.
In Borno State, two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were arrested in Biu for allegedly attempting to deliver military uniforms and equipment to terrorists.
“They were identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed,” Kangye said. “They were caught receiving waybills for a consignment that included 13 military uniforms and high-voltage batteries. Their arrest followed precise intelligence tracking.”
Also, in Yobe State, troops arrested a 65-year-old logistics supplier, Shaibu Bulama, at Damasak Motor Park, with arms, ammunition, and N17.1 million in cash. Explosives were also recovered and safely detonated.
Kangye revealed that ongoing operations in the North-East led to the surrender of 16 family members of terrorists — four women and twelve children — in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
“They surrendered from Bakura Jega village as military pressure continues to mount,” he explained.
Meanwhile, in the South-East, troops apprehended a tax agent working for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ihiala, Anambra State. The suspect was found with N1.5 million believed to be proceeds of illegal levies.
In the South-South region, Kangye said troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 42 individuals involved in oil theft, recovering over 201,000 litres of stolen crude oil and large quantities of refined petroleum products.
“We dismantled 19 illegal refineries and recovered multiple items including boats, storage tanks, vehicles, motorcycles, and weapons,” he noted. “A cult leader known as Commander Junior and 13 others were also arrested in Delta and Rivers States.”
He added that troops also stormed a criminal hideout in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, where 28 oil thieves and suspected drug dealers were taken into custody.