The Defence Headquarters in Abuja has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fight against terrorists and their cohorts in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
Disclosing the successes recorded by the Military Joint Task Force operational activities in February 2025, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, said, “Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) sustained the tempo against terrorists and their cohorts in the ongoing counter terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
“The ground, maritime and air forces conducted coordinated offensive operations, dislodging and striking terrorist from their hibernating areas, as well as foiling oil theft in the South-South region.
“In February 2025, troops recorded significant successes in the cause of their operations against proscribed terror groups across the country. They neutralized several terrorists, arrested many of them, rescued kidnapped hostages, received surrendered terrorists and their family members and recovered weapons as well as equipment.
“In the North East, Troops of Operations HADIN KAI neutralized 75 terrorists, arrested 71 suspects and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages. Additionally, troops recorded 152 surrendered BH/ISWAP terrorists’ combatants and their families.
“The summary of recovered items includes 49 AK47 rifles,15 fabricated rifles, nine dane guns, four assorted arms, 1,896 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 227 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 23 assorted ammunitions.
“In the North West, Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA during February 2025 neutralized 88 terrorists, arrested 31 suspects and rescued 136 kidnaped hostages. 51 AK47 rifles, 13 fabricated guns, four dane guns, three assorted arms, 1,410 rounds of 7.62mm special, 194 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 30 assorted ammunitions.
“In the same vein, Troops of Operation WHIRL PUNCH recorded the following in February 2025: neutralized 34 terrorists, arrested 124 suspects and rescued 57 kidnap hostages. They recovered 26 AK47 rifles, 11 dane guns, 13 fabricated rifles four assorted arms, 616 rounds of 7.62mm special, 85 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and 25 assorted ammunitions.
“In the North Central, Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN neutralized 12 violent extremists, arrested 130 and rescued 26 kidnap hostages. They also recovered 11 AK47 rifles, four fabricated guns, two dane guns, two assorted arms, 309 rounds of 7.62mm special and 199 assorted ammunitions.
“In a related development, Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE neutralized five terrorists, arrested 172 suspects and rescued 16 kidnap hostages. Additionally, troops recovered six AK47 rifles, five fabricated guns, two assorted arms and 605 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunitions.
“In the South-South, the Joint Task Force of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained the momentum against the activities of crude oil thieves and continued to find and destroy illegal refining sites as well as arrest the perpetrators of oil theft.
“In February 2025, Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE neutralized three criminals and arrested 122 persons involved in crude oil theft. Troops also denied the oil theft of 1,790,934 litres of crude oil, 402,936 litres of AGO, 600 litres of DPK and 9,175 litres of PMS. Furthermore, troops recovered 28 assorted arms, 548 assorted ammunition and destroyed 114 wooden boats as well as 156 illegal refining sites.
“In the South East, Troops of Operation UDO KA conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN as well as other criminal activities in the region during the month under review and achieved tremendously.
“Overall, four terrorists were neutralized, 24 were arrested and 10 kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered three AK47 rifles, nine pump action guns, 18 assorted arms, 235 live cartridges and 525 assorted ammunitions.”
General Kangye reiterated that the gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles.
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