Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded major operational successes against terrorists, kidnappers, cultists, illegal oil refiners and other criminal elements in a series of coordinated operations across the country, 

 A credible source at Army Headquarters told our reporter that the operations led to the neutralization of several terrorists, arrest of multiple suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and logistics items.

He said in the North East Theatre, troops of 152 Task Force Battalion alongside the Hybrid Force and Civilian JTF recovered a full box of 12.7 x 108mm, a box of 7.62 x 51mm NATO rounds, a bicycle and military camouflage clothing in Banki after foiling an ISWAP/JAS attack. 

“Similarly, troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade safely disposed of two command IEDs planted along Darel Jamel–Bula Yobe road,” he said.

He said, in another encounter, combined troops of 19 Battalion and 25 Brigade intercepted ISWAP/JAS logistics elements along Damboa–Gumsuri road, neutralizing one terrorist and recovering two AK-47 rifles, 36 hand grenades, IED materials, desert camouflage trousers, four uniforms, 32 bicycles, large quantities of drugs, chemicals, red oil, mosquito nets and other sundry items.

“In Katsina state, troops of the Defence Special Operations Force (DSOF) engaged terrorists at Jeka Areda and Ruwan Godia, capturing 7 motorcycles. 

“In Cross River State, troops of 146 and 130 Battalions arrested and neutralized a cultist caught with a roasted human leg, while 34 Artillery Brigade discovered and destroyed a bunkering site with four cooking drums and 800 litres of illegally refined products.”

Speaking further, he said troops of DHQ Special Operations Battalion neutralized two terrorists in Sokoto and recovered one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, three motorcycles and uniforms. 

“In Taraba, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) arrested three suspected kidnappers, while in Rivers, troops destroyed 350 litres of crude oil being illegally scooped along Imor River.

“Troops of 222 Battalion laid ambush in Konduga, Borno, neutralizing one terrorist, while 3 Battalion intercepted a truckload of dry NPK fertilizer at Logomani suspected for terrorist use. 

“Similarly, 149 Battalion intercepted four vehicles and arrested four terror logistics suppliers in Gubio, while FOB Gajiram arrested three kidnappers in Nganzai.

“In Kaduna, troops of Sector 7, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) rescued a kidnapped girl at Manchok, apprehending one criminal, while Sector 8 OPEP arrested another suspect in Plateau with a Dane gun. 1 Battalion (Rear) working with the DSS arrested four terrorists in Kebbi, seizing a vehicle, mobile phones and other items.

“Troops of Sector 1 OPWS in Benue rescued a kidnap victim, capturing one FN rifle, five magazines and 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO. In Cross River, 245 Battalion neutralized one miscreant, arrested two others and recovered a pistol, cartridge and drug paraphernalia,” he said.

According him, an fresh counteroffensives, 135 Special Forces Battalion with Civilian JTF repelled ISWAP/JAS attack in Biu LGA, recovering five RPG bombs, three AK-47 magazines with 90 rounds of 7.62mm Special, four PKT belts with 306 rounds of 7.62mm NATO and other items. 

“Similarly, troops at FOB Azir, Damboa repelled another attack, neutralized one terrorist, and recovered three AK-47 rifles, explosives, intoxicants and drugs.

“Further operations saw the arrest of terror informants in Kaduna, rescue of kidnapped passengers in Bakassi waterways with the Cameroonian Army and recovery of stolen motorcycles and firearms in Plateau, Adamawa, Kebbi, and other states.”

He said in total, the Nigerian Army operations between 19 – 22 September 2025 resulted in the neutralization of multiple terrorists, arrest of over 20 criminal suspects, rescue of several kidnapped victims and recovery of at least 10 AK-47 rifles, one FN rifle, five RPG bombs, 36 hand grenades, five AK-47 magazines, over 700 rounds of assorted ammunition, explosives, uniforms, 39 motorcycles, 32 bicycles, large quantities of drugs and chemicals, as well as vehicles and illegally refined petroleum products.”

“The Nigerian Army remains committed to creating a safer environment that will boost agricultural activities in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to food security,” he added.