Soldiers arrest 450 suspects, rescue 180 civilians in September – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said troops arrested about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals across the country in September.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, said in a statement that 39 terrorists surrendered while 180 civilians were rescued during the operations.
He said 63 arms, 4,475 rounds of ammunition and 294 items including grenades, improvised explosive device materials, handheld radios, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered.
Kangye added that troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft valued at N112,175,220, consisting of 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of automotive gas oil, 1,900 litres of dual-purpose kerosene and 1,475 litres of premium motor spirit.
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He said, “For the month of September, about 450 terrorists, bandits, extremists and other criminals were arrested, 39 of them were surrendered, while 180 civilians were rescued.
Quantity 63 arms, 4,475 ammunition were recovered, 294 items such as grenades, IED marking materials, handheld radios, motorcycles, vehicles and other items used in perpetrating crimes were also recovered.
“Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth N112,175,220.00 representing 49,321 litres of crude oil, 6,970 litres of AGO, 1,900 litres of DPK and 1,475 litres of PMS. 41 Illegal refining sites were also destroyed.”
According to him, troops also seized automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, live cartridges and assorted ammunition in different operations.
He said, “Overall, troops recovered large quantities of various arms, such as automatic weapons, RPG tubes, machine guns, locally fabricated guns, and improvised explosive devices making material. Also, some cache of live cartridges and assorted ammunition were recovered. ”
Kangye explained that the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, sustained operations between September 23 and 30, 2025, against Boko Haram, ISWAP and JAS terrorists in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
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He said ground troops, in collaboration with the air component, hybrid forces and local security groups, conducted operations in Konduga, Gwoza, Mafa, Gukba, Monguno, Damboa, Biu and Kukawa LGAs of Borno State; Madagali, Hong and Mubi South LGAs of Adamawa State; and Gujba LGA of Yobe State.
According to him, the operations led to the elimination of several terrorists, recovery of arms, destruction of their camps and dismantling of logistics networks. He added that the efforts also supported resettlement of displaced persons and farming activities in the region.
He said,”Our ground forces in conjunction with the Air Component and Hybrid forces as well as local security groups, conducted aggressive operations across the theatre.
“Their effort led to the elimination of several terrorists, their logistics suppliers, recovery of weapons, dismantling of their networks and support for safe resettlement of displaced persons and unimpeded farming activities.”
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The military has been conducting counterinsurgency and anti-crime operations nationwide under different theatres, including Operation HADIN KAI in the North-East, Operation WHIRL STROKE in the North-Central, and Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta.
The Defence Headquarters provides monthly updates on these operations to track progress and reassure the public of ongoing efforts to address insecurity.
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