Military Kills Over 100 Terrorists, Arrests 100 Suspects, Rescues 21 Kidnap Victims — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced significant achievements in ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across the country, revealing that over 100 terrorists were killed, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, highlighting coordinated offensives across Nigeria’s key regions.

“In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched aggressive offensives leading to the surrender of ISWAP/JAS elements and the elimination of dozens of terrorists,” Kangye stated.

He added that in the North West, under Operation Fagge Yamma, troops neutralized several insurgents, arrested suspects, and rescued kidnap victims across Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina States.

In the North Central zone, troops of Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke recorded notable successes, arresting over 37 criminal suspects in Plateau and Kaduna States between April 18 and 22, based on credible intelligence.

In the South East, troops under Operation Udoka conducted successful raids in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi States, leading to the elimination of terrorists, arrest of suspects, and recovery of arms and explosives. Four kidnapped victims were rescued during the missions.

In the South South, Operation Delta Safe targeted illegal oil refining sites and theft networks, destroying equipment and seizing crude oil and petroleum products valued at over ₦94 million.

“Between April 18 and 22, troops engaged terrorists in multiple communities, recovering weapons, mobile phones, motorcycles, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” Kangye said.

Earlier in April, the DHQ had also reported that troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites as part of intensified efforts to curb economic sabotage.

The military assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to securing the country and dismantling criminal networks across all regions.