The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Friday, February 9, 2025, that military operations across Nigeria resulted in the elimination of 27 terrorists, the arrest of 62 suspects, and the rescue of 44 kidnapped hostages between January 30 and February 7, 2025.
He revealed that troops apprehended 23 individuals involved in oil theft and prevented the theft of crude oil worth approximately ₦292.6 million in the South-South region.
“Troops successfully thwarted oil theft valued at around ₦292,644,100, recovering 253,330 litres of stolen crude oil, 42,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 5,100 litres of petrol,” Kangye stated.
Destruction of Illegal Refining Facilities
During the operations, troops dismantled:
- 220 illegal crude oil cooking ovens
- 23 dugout pits
- Two boats
- 17 storage tanks
- 24 illegal refining sites
Items Seized
- One pumping machine
- Three motorcycles
- Two vehicles
- Mobile phones
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
Security forces recovered a total of 61 weapons and 1,584 rounds of ammunition, including:
- 26 AK-47 rifles
- Nine Dane guns
- Eight pump-action guns
- 920 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition
Breakdown of Military Operations
Operation Hadin Kai (Northeast Nigeria)
- 18 terrorists neutralized
- 11 arrested
- 31 kidnapped victims rescued
Operation Fasan Yamma (Northwest Nigeria)
- Eight terrorists neutralized
- Six arrested
- 55 hostages freed
Operation Safe Haven (North-Central Nigeria)
- Four extremists neutralized
- 13 hostages rescued
Operation Delta Safe (South-South Nigeria)
- 23 oil theft suspects arrested
- Destruction of illegal refining sites
- Weapons and ammunition recovered
Operation Whirl Stroke (North-Central Nigeria)
- One violent extremist neutralized
- 30 suspects arrested
South-East Operations
- Five IPOB/ESN members arrested
- Recovery and detonation of IEDs
- Four kidnapped victims rescued
The operations spanned multiple states, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, and Katsina, preventing attacks and making key arrests.
Kangye reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to protecting lives and property while adhering to international best practices in security operations.