Two Years of Firepower: Military Kills 6,260 Terrorists, Arrests Over 14,000 Criminals Nationwide
Two Years of Firepower: Military Kills 6,260 Terrorists, Arrests Over 14,000 Criminals Nationwide
Two Years of Firepower: Military Kills 6,260 Terrorists, Arrests Over 14,000 Criminals Nationwide
By Ayshatu S. Rabo
In a sweeping scorecard of military might, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has revealed that Nigerian Armed Forces have killed 6,260 terrorists and arrested 14,138 criminals in coordinated joint operations across the country over the past two years.
The impressive figures were disclosed on Thursday by the Deputy Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Ibrahim Abu-Mawashi, during an Expanded Parley with Media Executives in Abuja. The event marked the second anniversary of General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), alongside other service chiefs.
Highlighting the military’s robust campaigns against terrorism, banditry, and criminality, Brig.-Gen. Abu-Mawashi stated that 5,365 kidnapped victims were rescued during the operations, while a significant cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered.
In the Niger Delta, troops under Operation Delta Safe recovered N83 billion worth of stolen crude oil, killed 103 criminals, arrested 2,760 suspects, and rescued 266 kidnap victims.
In the North East, under Operation Hadin Kai, security forces killed 1,246 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, arrested 2,467, and rescued 1,920 civilians. They also recovered 982 arms and 2,153 rounds of ammunition.
In the North West region, where banditry has been rampant, the military neutralized 1,374 bandits, including top commanders operating across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto States. A total of 2,160 suspects were arrested and 3,288 hostages were freed. Recovered weapons totaled 947, with 25,802 rounds of ammunition.
Operations in the North Central zone led to the killing of 730 terrorists and violent extremists, the arrest of 7,153 suspects, and the rescue of 1,510 civilians. The military also seized 1,065 weapons and 19,709 rounds of ammunition.
In the South East, troops participating in Operation UDO KA eliminated 440 terrorists, arrested 1,677 criminals, rescued 294 civilians, and recovered 683 weapons and 21,300 rounds of ammunition.
In the South West, the Joint Task Force killed 80 criminals, arrested 1,763, and rescued 89 kidnap victims. They also recovered 143 weapons and a massive 177,904 rounds of ammunition.
Speaking at the event, Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, described the parley as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to a “people-centric approach to national security,” emphasizing transparency and continued engagement with the public.
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Gusau noted that the event aligns with the CDS’s core philosophy of keeping Nigerians informed about the sacrifices, challenges, and accomplishments of the Armed Forces in securing the country.
“From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the forests of the North West, and from the hinterlands of the North East to the bustling cities in the South, our troops have remained resilient,” he stated.
The military leadership called on media partners to continue supporting the national security discourse by providing factual and balanced reporting.
As Nigeria’s security forces enter a new operational year, the message is clear: the fight against insecurity is relentless—and far from over.
Two Years of Firepower: Military Kills 6,260 Terrorists, Arrests Over 14,000 Criminals Nationwide
