A senior official at the Army Headquarters has confirmed that Nigerian military forces achieved significant victories in counter-terrorism operations spanning all six of the country’s geopolitical zones.
The operations resulted in the arrest of 32 suspects, the rescue of 22 hostages, and the recovery of substantial quantities of weapons, ammunition, and other materials.
During Operation Egwu Eke Atite III, military personnel working alongside the Nigerian Navy, Department of State Services, Police, and Hybrid Forces successfully prevented a terrorist assault on Isanlu in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. Security forces engaged the attackers in intense combat, eliminating over 12 insurgents, including the notorious commander Kachalla Maidawa. Maidawa had orchestrated numerous violent attacks throughout Kogi and neighboring areas of Kwara State. Seized materials included an AK-47 rifle, 400 rounds of various ammunition types, four motorcycles, three locally-made firearms, a fragmentation jacket, and several mobile phones.
In Kebbi State, personnel from 1 Brigade conducted an ambush operation along the Salka–Kinke–Makurdi Road in Ngaski Local Government Area, resulting in two terrorist deaths and the liberation of eight captives. The operation yielded seven AK-47 magazines, 180 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and two motorcycles.
Personnel from the 11 Field Engineer Regiment and CSI Battalion intercepted a ₦3 million ransom payment that included new motorcycles destined for terrorists operating in Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. Five hostages were freed during the operation, and fleeing insurgents were eliminated. Subsequently, two kidnapping suspects were detained at Damakasuwa checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, carrying ₦1.3 million in cash. A follow-up operation resulted in the elimination of two additional suspects attempting to evade capture.
In the North-East region, soldiers from 151 Task Force Battalion ambushed and killed five ISWAP/JAS fighters at Dipchari in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. Separately, troops from 3 Battalion and 24 Task Force Brigade detained individuals supplying logistics and narcotics to ISWAP along the Gamboru–Wulgo Road. Another operation in Monguno led to the apprehension of 12 suspects, including someone collecting taxes on behalf of terrorists.
In the South-East, forces from 34 Artillery Brigade conducting Operation Udo Ka raided IPOB/ESN compounds in Abia and Imo States. They arrested suspects connected to the kidnapping and killing of the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Polytechnic, Afikpo. The operation also resulted in the elimination of a prominent ESN fighter and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and 14 rounds of ammunition.
Under Operation Delta Safe in the South-South region, military units dismantled multiple illegal oil refineries in Rivers and Bayelsa States, recovering more than 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil. Working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, troops also arrested 14 individuals suspected of drug trafficking.
