The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that Nigerian troops neutralised scores of terrorists, arrested more than 270 suspects, and rescued at least 230 kidnapped victims during sustained military operations across the North East, North West, and North Central in January.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, made the disclosure on Friday while briefing journalists in Abuja, attributing the successes to coordinated ground and air operations aimed at dismantling terrorist and bandit networks, denying them freedom of movement, and restoring security to affected communities.
In the North East, troops under Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, Hybrid Forces, and local security groups, conducted aggressive offensives against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna (JAS) terrorists across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States.
Between January 1 and January 29, troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested 74 suspects, and rescued 40 kidnapped victims. Within the same period, 44 terrorists and their family members surrendered, while five top commanders and three lieutenants were eliminated during gun battles.
READ ALSO:
-
Troops Discover Mass Grave of Terrorists in Borno’s Timbuktu Triangle
-
Troops Rescue 86 Kidnap Victims, Arrest 29 Terror Suspects in Borno
-
Troops Apprehend Suspected Drug Dealers, Recover Illicit Substances in Plateau
-
Nigerian Troops Kill Nine Terrorists, Arrest Eight, Rescue 37 Kidnapped Victims
Operations were recorded in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira Uba, and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Michika in Adamawa and Damaturu in Yobe.
Onoja added that troops neutralised two terrorist commanders, Basulhu and Ubaida, during an operation in the Mandara Mountains on January 22, recovering arms and ammunition.
He said precision air strikes carried out by the Air Component, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Aviation, targeted terrorist hideouts in the Northern Tumbuns, while dozens of ISWAP fighters, including a commander known as Qaid and his lieutenant Munzir, were neutralised in the Timbuktu Triangle.
North West and North Central
In the North West and parts of North Central, troops under Operation Fansan Yamma sustained high operational tempo across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During the period, troops neutralised several terrorists, arrested 52 suspects, and rescued 100 kidnapped victims. Security forces also recovered arms, ammunition, vehicles, and rustled livestock. Close air support during clearance operations in Chukuba Village, Shiroro LGA of Niger State, led to the neutralisation of multiple terrorists.
Joint Task Force North Central
Onoja said troops of the Joint Task Force North Central, operating under Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Whirl Stroke, recorded significant gains across Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Kwara, and Niger States.
In Plateau and parts of Kaduna, troops neutralised extremists, arrested 86 criminals, and rescued 24 kidnapped victims. A notorious kidnap kingpin, Amadu Adamu, was arrested in Jamada LGA of Kaduna State.
He further disclosed that between January 1 and January 29, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke arrested 58 criminals and rescued 32 victims across Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and adjoining areas, with arms and ammunition recovered.
The DHQ reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist and criminal elements until lasting peace is restored across affected regions.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
