Troops neutralised 75 terrorists, arrested 138 suspected criminals in one week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Thursday said troops deployed to various theaters of operations neutralised 75  terrorists and arrested  138 suspected criminals.

The military high command also said troops rescued 46 hostages held captive by terrorists from different parts of the country.

Director Defence Media Operations (DDMO), Major General Markus Kangye,  stated this while briefing journalists at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

General Kangye also said troops denied oil thieves lifting crude estimated to worth over  N646,189,690.00.

 He said troops have since the beginning of the month of February been confronted by different threats in five active theatres of operations across the country.

He said military aggression across the various theatres of operation since the beginning of the month culminated in the surrendering of a total of 65 terrorists comprising 12 adult males, 19 adult females and 34 children within the theatre of operations.

General Kangye said  troops also recovered 104 and 2,639 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively.

 He stated further that: “The breakdown includes: 497,152 litres of stolen crude oil, 142,000 litres of illegally refined AGO and 4,075 litres of PMS. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 164 crude oil cooking ovens, 37 dugout pits, 19 boats, 16 storage tanks, 38 drums and 42 illegal refining sites.

”Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, 4 tricycles, 7 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 3 vehicles among others. 

“These include, 55 AK47 rifles, 20 locally fabricated guns, 8 dane guns, 18 pump action guns, 1,826 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 376 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 366 rounds of 7.62 x 12.7mm ammo, 26 cartridges as well as other 14 assorted arms and 45 assorted ammunitions.”

According to General Kangye, Troops of Operation HADIN KAI On 5 and 6 February 2025, following credible intelligence, troops laid ambush on ISWAP route in Gwoza and Konduga LGAs of Borno state and made contact.

He said during a fire fight, 8 terrorists were neutralised, while 3 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, one G3 rifle, 157 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 27 rounds of 7.62mm NATO as well as one magazine were recovered.