In a continued effort to dismantle the network of insurgents, bandits, oil thieves and other enemies of the state, the military high command has stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria across all theatres of operation neutralized scores of terrorists, arrested 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements.
The troops also rescued about 134 kidnapped victims, while a terrorists’ commander Ibn Ali and 151 terrorists as well as their family members surrendered to troops.
Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in Abuja, in a statement on the ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the month of July 2025.
According to General Kangye, the Armed Forces remain fully engaged in tackling the insurgency, banditry, oil theft, communal violence and other forms of criminalities with the aim of restoring peace, protecting lives and property, and preserving the sovereignty of our nation.
He stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, under the strategic guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher G Musa OFR, is executing the operations in line with the directives of the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the operations are in strict compliance with the rules of engagement, international humanitarian law, and respect for human rights, while remaining committed to a professional, coordinated, and intelligence-driven approach to confronting all forms of security challenges.
Highlighting the successes recorded within the month of July 2025, Major General Kangye revealed that, troops in various theatres killed large numbers of terrorists, arrested 578 suspected terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements, rescued about 134 kidnapped victims, while a terrorists’ commander Ibn Ali and 151 terrorists as well as their family members surrendered to troops.
He revealed that among the terrorists eliminated were despicable terrorists’ commander Yellow Danbokolo, Amir Dunkei, Kachalla Nagomma, Gurmu and Ali Yar Daribiyar. Additionally, some notorious gunrunners and kidnappers on the troops’ watch list were arrested and taking into custody for interrogation. They include Yakubu Jubril, Abubakar Yahaya, Isiya Sani, Haruna AbdullahiAli Abba, Mallam Aminu Idris, Mohammed Hamisu (aka Mamiyo or Officer Mohammed), Shuaibu Bulama and Isah Abdullahi as well as Abdullahi Mohammed. Others are notorious cultists Prince Justin Ishimiri and an extremist kingpin Liamdoo Douglas Adekpe (aka Bajor).
Also, some notable airstrike missions were conducted within Areas of Responsibility of Operation FASAN YAMMA in Mariga and Rijau LGA of Niger State and between the border of Zamfara and Kebbi States.
“Similarly, in Operation DELTA SAFE theatre, troops foiled oil theft worth over One Billion Three Hundred and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Eighty-Five Naira (N1,312,575,085.00) only. The breakdown indicates 974,976 litres of stolen crude oil, 269,257 litres of illegally refined AGO, 1,759 litres of DKP and 3,447 litres of PMS.
“Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 126 crude oil cooking ovens, 107 dugout pits, 39 boats, 83 storage tanks, 88 drums, 35 vehicles and 73 illegal refining sites. Furthermore, 285 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered. Events that unfolded during the week under review from the theatres of operations are highlighted below.
“In the North East, between 22 – 30 July 2025, troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) sustained efforts to deny Boko Haram, JAS and ISWAP terrorists freedom of action in the North East region.
“During the period, our ground forces in synergy with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security stakeholders, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre. Their effort led to the arrest of terrorists’ logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of terrorists’ networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and their returned for farming activities.
“The troops conducted kinetic operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist in the general areas of Marte, Bula Daburu, Alau Dam, Limankara, Bitta, Kawuri and Monguno villages of Marte, Bama, Konduga, Kaga, Gwoza and Guzamala LGAs of Borno State as well as Mildo Village in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State. They eliminated scores of terrorists, arrested 8 of them and rescued 2 kidnapped victims.
“Also, on 26 and 27 July 2025, troops arrested two ISWAP terrorists around their base defence areas in Gujba and Bama LGAs of Yobe and Borno States respectively. Among them was a terrorist suspected to be from Niger Republic that cannot communicate in either English, Hausa or Kanuri Languages.
“Similarly, troops conducted operations in Ngala, Chibok, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Bama LGAs of Borno State as well as Gujba and Damaturu LGAs of Yobe State. During the encounters, 11 suspected terrorists’ collaborators were arrested. Some quantities of arms and ammunition were also recovered. They also retrieved and safely detonated some IEDs, while the sum of N134,420.00 was also recovered.
“In the North West, between 23 – 29 July 2025, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma responded to information about terrorist activities in Anka, Bakura, Maradun and Tsafe LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Sabuwa and Faskari LGAs of Katsina State. They also conducted operations in Arewa LGA of Kebbi State.
“During these operations, some terrorists were killed, nine of them were arrested, while four kidnapped victims were rescued. Relatedly, troops while on offensive operations, eliminated four terrorists and rescued two kidnapped victims in Sabon Birni and Argungu LGAs of Sokoto and Kebbi States respectively.
“In the North Central, within the period 24 – 28 July 2025, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted offensive operations and responded to distress calls on terrorists’ activities in Wase, Riyom, Jos North, Bassa, Jos East, Bokkos and Mangu LGAs of Plateau State as well as Kaura and Sanga LGAs of Kaduna State. While conducting these operations, they contacted extremists and killed some of them, arrested three criminals and rescued seven kidnapped victims. Some weapons, ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered from them.
“Also, between 23 – 29 July 2025, troops arrested a wanted notorious extremist identified as Dayabu Idris and 4 others suspected extremists in Barkin Ladi, Mangu and Tafawa Balewa LGAs of Plateau and Bauchi States, respectively.
“In a similar development, Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded high level of successes in their areas of responsibility during the week. They conducted operations in Akure, Ako Ivaan, Iorkyol, Ugbaba, Agber, Tse ilim and Gbesi general areas of Guma and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Benue State. They also operate in Lokoja and Kabba Bunu LGAs of Kogi State as well as AMAC of FCT and Suleija LGA of Niger State, respectively. During the operations, troops eliminated some terrorists, arrested 13 of them and rescued three kidnapped victims. They also recovered arms and ammunition, motorcycles and vehicles.
“Between 22 – 26 July 2025, our gallant troops arrested four criminals in Jalingo and Nasarawa LGAs of Taraba and Nasarawa States respectively. Weapons, ammunition and other items were recovered from them are in troops custody, while investigation is ongoing.
“In the South South, Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE recovered 230,400 litres of stolen crude oil, 8,320 litres of illegally refined AGO and 900 litres of AGO. Additionally, they discovered and destroyed 11 crude oil cooking ovens, 7 dugout pits, four boats, seven storage tanks, 17 drums and 6 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and three vehicles. Furthermore, 22 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested, while assorted arms and ammunition and some explosives, were also recovered.
“Troops while conducting offensive operations, arrested 18 suspected oil thieves, IPOB/ESN members, criminal, cultists and drugs peddlers in Oshimili North, Sapele, Ughelli South, Ndukwa East and Uvwie LGAs of Delta State as well as Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State.
“In the South East, Troops of Operation UDO KA sustained offensive posture throughout the week under review. They arrested two suspected IPOB/ESN members and one of them attempted to escape during an arrest in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State but was eliminated. Six other criminals were arrested in various encounters within Igbo Exe North LGA of Enugu State as well as Ideator North, Okigwe and Calabar South LGAs of Imo and Cross River States respectively. Weapons and item recovered from them are in troops custody, while interrogation ongoing.”
Major General Kangye emphasized that every operation the military undertake is guided by their unwavering commitment to national security, the safety of the personnel, and the principles they sworn to uphold.
He further reiterates that the Armed Forces remain vigilant, ready, and resolute in facing current and emerging threats. He thanked the public for their continued support and understanding as they carry out their mission with discipline, transparency, and integrity.
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