The Nigerian Army has announced the successful execution of a series of well-coordinated, intelligence-led operations across multiple regions of the country, resulting in the neutralization of numerous terrorists, the arrest of several criminal elements, and the recovery of significant arms and logistics.
This was disclosed in an official statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to her, the operations—conducted between July 22 and 24—underscore the military’s unwavering commitment to restoring peace and order nationwide.
In the North-East, particularly Borno State, troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion successfully ambushed and eliminated two fighters believed to be members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and the Jamā’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jihād (JAS) faction.
The operation, carried out in Bula Daburu Village, also led to the capture of essential logistics items, including eight bicycles, bags of food supplies, and sleeping mats—believed to have been used for sustaining terrorist cells.
Elsewhere in Konduga Local Government Area, troops of the 222 Battalion engaged terrorists near Alau Dam, killing one insurgent during an ambush.
Additionally, 19 individuals—family members of terrorists—surrendered to troops of the 202 Battalion in Bama. The group included seven adult females and twelve children who reportedly abandoned their hideouts due to increasingly harsh living conditions within the insurgent-controlled territories.
In Niger State, joint troops from Sectors 1 and 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, operating in synergy with the Nigerian Air Force, launched a devastating assault on terrorist enclaves in Mahula Village.
The offensive led to the elimination of several terrorists and the seizure of two AK-47 rifles, 18 motorcycles, and an undisclosed quantity of ammunition.
Similarly, in the volatile North-West, troops under 1 Brigade operating in Zamfara State neutralized three terrorists during an operation in Maradun Local Government Area.
During the engagement, soldiers recovered two AK-47 rifles, motorcycles, and high-grade communication gadgets. In Anka Local Government Area, eight motorcycles were destroyed, and 78 rustled livestock were retrieved and handed over to the relevant authorities.
In the North-Central region, specifically Plateau State, troops under Operation SAFE HAVEN recorded significant breakthroughs.
Two high-profile criminal suspects—Dayabu Idris and Ardo Forof Ardo Habibu Mohammed—were apprehended for their alleged roles in killings, kidnappings, and attacks on security personnel.
Additionally, troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and arrested three more suspects believed to be connected to the killing of a herder in Jos East Local Government Area.
Operations also extended to Benue State, where personnel from Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized a kidnapper during a raid on Gbise Town. The troops rescued three kidnap victims, further disrupting criminal activity in the region.
In the South-East, operatives acted swiftly in Enugu State, arresting two suspected kidnappers in Akwuke Forest. One more suspect was killed during a follow-up operation, and the gang’s hideout was subsequently destroyed, eliminating a safe haven for criminal operations in the area.
The army also struck a major blow to the logistical operations of terrorist groups. Two suspected ISWAP logistics couriers were intercepted—one in Ngala and another in Chibok, both in Borno State.
Seized from them were communication devices, food supplies, and over ₦140,000 in cash. These arrests significantly disrupted the supply chain of terrorist factions operating in the region.
Summing up the army’s recent activities, Lieutenant Colonel Anele emphasized the Nigerian Army’s steadfast resolve and professionalism in protecting national sovereignty and citizens from terrorism and criminality. She reiterated that the military remains committed to eliminating threats and ensuring enduring peace across the country.